Ask Rabbi Leff a Question
Updated: Rosh Chodesh Mar Cheshvan, 5765/ 15th of October, 04
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484

Is it permissible for a Jewish man to hear a Jewish woman whom he knows playing a musical instrument over the phone? If she is performing especially for him, e.g., playing a song for him on a guitar or piano, is it outside the bounds of propriety?

Shlomo Zalman Jessel,
Matityahu

Rabbi Leff's response

483

I was wondering if it is a problem for an 18 year old, unmarried girl to sleep in a house by herself while her parents are away.

I ask this question, because I have heard that there may be a problem of shaidim when the girl is alone at night.

I would appreciate it if the Rav could clarify this.

Thank you so much for this inspiring and thought-provoking website!

Esti,
London

Rabbi Leff's response

482

I see this done all the time. Posters claim that all the Gedolim of today have forbidden smoking yet people do so. Also I have seen posters that all of today's Rabbinic authorities forbid it today on Yom Tov as opposed to past psakim which allowed it. What has changed? and Is there any heter b'zman ha'zeh currently to allow smoking on Yom Tov? Thank you for your time.

Tal Zwecker,
Ramat Beit Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

481

I've heard that you are only allowed to leave Israel to learn Torah, find a shidduch or parnasa. Does this apply nowadays? Specifically can one leave Israel to Visit Family or attend a Simcha in Chutz L'Aretz?

Aaron,
Israel

Rabbi Leff's response

480

Concerning the book, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People", I've heard many people say that it's epicursus, and that the "Rabbi" who wrote it is an apikorus. Is this so, and if so, what is it about the book (and it's author) that is objectionable? Does it mean that all of his books are apikoursus, and shouldn't be read? I've heard that they have been very helpful and comforting to millions of people around the world who have lost love ones, or have had to deal with other tragedies. Does that account for anything? If it is against the Torah, shouldn't someone try to mekarav the author, and teach him the error of his ways, and get him to use his talents for good?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

479

Does eating (e.g. breakfast on way to work) in ones car, constitute "ochel b'shuk" which is domeh l'kelev or pasul l'edus ?

Thank you

T. Nathan,
Israel

Rabbi Leff's response

478

What are the halochos regarding davening the Amidah while on a journey? I know that one should sit down, but what about taking 3 steps backwards and forwards and bowing?

Anonymous,
London

Rabbi Leff's response

477

Are you allowed to hug and/or kiss your married sister?

Anonymous,
New Jersey

Rabbi Leff's response

476

Are you allowed to hug and/or kiss your married sister?

Anonymous,
New Jersey

Rabbi Leff's response

475

What is the procedure in simple terms for giving a get to a woman who wants one? Do I take back the rings?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

474

I was giving a shiur in the topic o sex and a student came out with a question of why a man can marry a women and he can find out if she is a betula or not and if that was a condition of the kidushin he can divorce her and she doesn't have any way to prove if he is a man that hadn't have releations with any women before.

The question in other terms is; why there is a need of betulim for a woman and why a man can marry more than one women

R' Eli Avraham,
Panama

Rabbi Leff's response

473

Since in 1967 everyone in Israel was in direct physical danger and were all miraculously saved, why don't we say Hallel or acknowledge it in any way?

Aaron,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

 

472

Dear Rabbi Leff, shlita,

I believe that there is a G-d... boruch Hashem. BUT I just don't understand how to relate to this G-d. What is He, Who is He, how do I relate to Him? In my davening I don't have much kavana, because as much as I try, I just DON'T UNDERSTAND WHO I'M DAVENING TO. Please could you help me?

Also, I don't understand how it helps to daven for someone else. BECAUSE, I know that davening changes a person, BUT if you're davening for someone else, then how exactly are they changing? And if they didn't deserve what you are davening for then, then after you've davened for them, why should Hashem suddenly decide to grant it to them now? Surely they still don't deserve it?

Thank you so much for your time and devotion in answering all these questions - I really appreciate it.

Anonymous,
London

Rabbi Leff's response

471

What is the Halachic reasoning for some to wear tefillin during mincha in addition to wearing at shacharit. Thank you

Anonymous,
Silver Spring, MD

Rabbi Leff's response

470

Now that we have heard the Rav's thoughts on Yom Haatzmaut, What is the Rav's shittah about Yom Yerushalayim?

Menachem Hojda,
Detroit, MI

Rabbi Leff's response

469

Regarding the Rav's response to question #429, I have seen some shuls where the prayer for the State of Israel is recited, omitting the words "Reishis Tzmichas Geulaseinu." Would this solution serve to alleviate the concerns of those reluctant to recite this tefillah?

Yechekzel G.
Long Island, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

468

Why is it that it's only a mitzvah for a man to get married when the commandment was given in the plural?

Zevi,
Lakewood, New Jersey

Rabbi Leff's response

467

Does the psak of the chazon ish of yaihareg v'al yaavor apply to the current version of sherut l'eumi, & if so what is the rationale for this psak ?

T. Nathan,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

466

If one eats cake shabbos morning after making Kiddush. Does he have to make “al hamichya” and “al hegefen” providing that he washes for the shabbos seuda within the hour?

Thank you for your response.

Anonymous,
Switzerland

Rabbi Leff's response

465

I heard that when a woman is pregnant it is not in her best interest to step on nails(clippings)

I heard also recently that if someone cuts their nails and if it flies off in an unknown direction and she sweeps over the ground with her hand, thereby spreading it around it removes the possibility of it being dangerous for her.

Is this true and what is the background on a woman stepping on nails.

Anonymous,
Switzerland

Rabbi Leff's response

464

I'm a baal tesuvah and I just started becoming shomer negiyah. Right now it's really hard for me, and i wanted to know if there's any form of contact that is permissible (gloves...)

Anonymous,
Canada

Rabbi Leff's response

463

I am a talmid in a beis medrash. Firstly I have a very strong leaning towards "bekius" learning. However I am worried that since I don't spend much time on "iyun" outside of first sedarim it can be ruining my future ability to become a talmud chochem. Secondly, people say that you need a rebbe that you can grow in your learning ability from. However after a year of listening writing and reviewing the rebbe's "shuir" I dont know what abilities if any I gained? Please tell me the Rav's opinion. Thank you.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

462

: I've read about selling tzitzit to goyim on a website pertaining to the laws of tzitzit.  The saying went like this "lest he (goy) put it on and thereby, by gaining the confidence of some Jew, lure him to his death."  What does that mean?  Would a goy wear tzitzit for ulterior, evil motives?  Thank you for your time.

Ari H.,
Calgary, Canada

Rabbi Leff's response

461

I was doing a research project on the Torah, and I came across some rather dismaying passages in Leviticus that call for the death of homosexuals. Can you explain what these actually mean?

Nathan Leff,
New Jersey

Rabbi Leff's response

460

Kvod HaRav Shlita,
May we give our 8 year old healthy son(who has an attention deficit disorder)his daily Ritalin even on Shabbos so that he can learn his Chumash and Mishnayot homework better, although there is no health reason to do so? If so, may we crush the pill as we do during the week?

Akiva,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

459

My question is what is the Jewish outlook on the nation of Amalek nowadays? How can we, the Jewish people, feel that we have been wronged by the Nazis Y"SH and their goal to exterminate the Jewish people? Aren't we as Jews required by the Torah to annihilate Amalek. Furthermore, the Torah goes as father as to command us to kill every single mother and child, regardless of age. Although we don't know who Amalek is nowadays, if we did know, do we still hold them accountable for the sins of their fathers over 2,500 years ago and seek to destroy them? An answer would be greatly appreciated.

Barry,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

458

Even if the techeles of today is wrong is there any negative aspect of wearing it on account that it might be the right one?

Thank you for the website.

Anonymous,
Los Angeles

Rabbi Leff's response

457

Can you please tell me advice on how to keep a high spiritual profile while in galus? I get very inspired from time to time, sometimes enough that I can almost cry. At certain points of the week I feel a physical down. I get grinded and turn into a zombie-ish state of unclarity and lack of fear from the Hashem. After it my yeser hara passes, I can see clarity to no extent, as if Hashem turned on a foglight.

Can you please tell me what's wrong and how to break free from what this stealth attacking yetzer hara? Thank you very much in advance.

Anonymous,
Toronto

Rabbi Leff's response

456

My wife and I are considering adoption, but she spoke to friends who said there is a big problem of yihud and I would not be able to hug my adopted daughter.  Could the Rav please lay out the
issues of mamzerus and yihud as they relate to adopted children?  Thanks again for a great service to K'lal Yisroel.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

455

I am reading up on Tu B'av and I am not understanding why the ladies had to go out to the fields the way they did, I cant find any mekor on the reason for it and I wonder if you can help me.

Tzvi Burstein,
Brooklyn, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

454

If I decided in my mind to donate an object to tzedakah, but now would like to keep it for myself, am I bound by my original decision. Similarly if I set aside money to purchase a new pair of tefilin, & now would like to change my mind, am I bound to my original commitment?

T. Nathan,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

453

In order to make a siyum on a mesechta, does one have to leave over the last piece for the siyum, & if not, how soon after completing the masechta does one have to make the siyum?

T. Nathan,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

452

Is it necessary to "speak out" when learning torah to fulfill the mitzvah of talmud Torah?

T. Nathan,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

451

Is it necessary to dry off the handles of the netilas yadaim cup before washing ?

T. Nathan,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

450

I'm writing after listening to your answer on Posting 398 about the subject of the wife working to support her husband in learning.

From what I understood, it seems that it takes an amazing and committed wife to take it upon herself to support her husband in learning, and that it is a very great zechus.
However, I have two questions on this;

1) Does it not state in the kesuva that it is the HUSBAND'S RESPONSIBILITY to support the wife? Whilst I'm sure it is very worthy for a woman to support her husband in learning, is this still not saying that it is really on the husband's shoulders to support the wife?

2) I  can really understand that after a couple get married, the wife works and supports her husband in learning, but what happens when they iyH have children - isn't it the woman's responsibility to look after the children and run the house and be a constant example for the children? So how can she go and work? What happens to the children? Who looks after them? Is the husband's learning really more important? Surely these two roles are just as important as each other? At this point is it not the man's responsibility to bring in the money? And if they really want to have this learning, then maybe the answer is to compromise on some materialistic things, and make do with less gashmius?
These questions are really bothering me at the moment, and so I would really welcome an answer!

Thank you very much for this amazing website - I  really appreciate the help and advice that you give to all of us.

Gila,
London

Rabbi Leff's response

449

If I may ask a question on the answer to question 418. The question referring to hats and jackets for davening.   People refer to a siman in Shulchan Aruch to support the custom or halachah of wearing at least a hat for davening referring to a law of a double head covering or the like. Can the Rav please explain and resolve my confusion. Thank you so much.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

448

My last wish is to discredit what I perceive to be a wonderful faction of frum Yidden. However I'm just curios as to how the Rav feels about certain practices of the Chabad Chassidim. Aside from the whole Yechi scandal... I've read that for kabbalistic reasons the Lubavitcher chassidim do not sleep in the sukkah on succos, nor do they eat shalosh seados on shabbos. How do we understand this while still accepting this group? Additionally, in light of Rav Shach's sentiments about the Rebbe and Chabad, how have the gedolei yisroel perceived Lubavitch? Again, I have the deepest respect for Lubavitcher Chasidim, I'm just wondering as many of these issues have become relevant recently. Thank you very much.

Dovid B.,
Long Island

Rabbi Leff's response

447

I know there is a custom among many chassidim to use the mikvah on shabbos morning for kabbalistic reasons. I recently saw a chassidishe sefer that praised this practice and quoted the Ben Ish Chai as being for this practice. I'm curious how this fits in halachically, i.e. how does one dry himself off, and is there any problem of Rechitza or other malachos. Thank you very much

Dovid B.,
Long Island

Rabbi Leff's response

446

I have heard from several rabbonim that a frum Jew who lives in America must vote Republican and not Democrat since Republicans are anti-abortion and anti-gay, which is consistent with the halacha. But just because the Torah is against abortion and gays, does that obligate one to vote for a president who coincidentally happens to share those views? Besides, that opinion seems somewhat absurd, since Jews lived for thousands of years under governments which worshipped idols and committed acts of immorality and no one had any problem with that. What is the Rav's opinion in this matter?

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

445

Dear Rabbi, is a woman who was born Jewish but was converted to Christianity as a child still considered Jewish according to Halachah?

The reason I'm asking is that my great-grandmother from my mother's side (the grandmother of my mother from her mother's side) was born Jewish but lost her parents during the pogroms in Russia in the 1880s and was adopted by a Christian family and baptized. She was brought up as a Christian, and so were her daughter (my grandmother) and her granddaughter (my mother). Despite this my mother always considered herself to be a Jew. My father is Jewish (both his parents are Jews) and I was circumcised and brought up as a Jew. I've always considered myself to be Jewish, but am I Jewish according to Halachah?

Anonymous,
Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

444

What exactly are the halachos of washing negel vasar when waking up and after touching parts of the body that should be covered? I understand that before washing negel vasar after sleeping one is not suppose to touch openings on their body such as their eyes and mouth etc. Does this apply as well to the other times (other than after sleeping) when a person is supposed to wash negel vasar? In addition, does a person have to wash negel vasar after all types of sleeping (ex. on plane) and naps?

I want to thank the Rav for his the time and clarification.

Anonymous,
Chicago

Rabbi Leff's response

443

Are we living in the times of the final redemption, If yes, how can we tell from world events and how close to it are we?

Anonymous,
London

Rabbi Leff's response

442

I have heard that it is forbidden to patronize tourist attractions like the Tanachi zoo in Yerushalayim or the Ramat Gan Safari since they operate on Shabbos, is this true? Does this also apply to businesses? What about outside of Israel ?

Tal Zwecker,
Ramat Beit Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

441

Why did Avrohom daven for the people of Sodom , who were a vicious evil people, shouldn't he have been concerned for the future victims?

T. Nathan,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

440

Is a shaitel (wig) that is so well made that it looks like real hair valid for kisui harosh (head covering)?

T. Nathan,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

439

Is it forbidden to study secular philosophy that discusses G-d in the bathroom?

Is it permitted to make kiddush or any blessing in front of ones mother if she does not and will not cover her hair? is there a difference if the person is a baal teshuvah and it would be a shalom bayis issue? does closing the eyes help? Also what about a divorced woman?

Tal Zwecker,
Ramat Beit Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

438

Would a Jewish person be allowed to read the Koran or “New Testament” (i.e. for research or for reading for school)? What sorts of books would one be prohibited from reading?

Anonymous,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

437

A few weeks ago I was walking past a bank and saw some cash hanging out of an ATM. No one was around so I took it. 2 minutes later i passed by again and noticed a man withdrawing money. He resembled someone I think I had seen earlier across the street. Later I felt guilty I didn't check this was the owner. I therefore gave most of the money to tzedaka, as there was no way of confirming the owner.

Did I need to feel guilty or was a case of YEUSH. I reasoned that if I didn't take it, the money would be taken by someone else within minutes.

Please clarify what I should have done and if I acted correctly.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

436

Shalom Aleichem Rabbi, this website/forum is great both you and the designer deserve much praise. Since the day of Yom Ha'atzmaut is coming up I wanted to ask an apolitical/objective question which is unfortunately a hot topic of controversy. Many different facets of observant Jews will be observing this date very differently some will recite Hallel with or w/o a Bracha, some will be saying Tachnun some will even be saying Kinnos. According to the Satmar Rav Zatzal whose sefer VaYoel Moshe I have looked at this day may be quite negative. He also writes that the sefer is meant to clarify Halacha. His case there is well backed up with sources cited from Talmud, midrash commentary etc. Is there a counter argument as halachically sound as his? Also is there any Halacha precedent for or against saying Hallel? Kinnos? Tachnun? Can any one of these 3 forms be called "correct" as opposed to the others?

Anonymous,
Ramat Beit Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

435

Seeing as how Yom Haatzmaut is coming up, I was wondering why some people hold it as a holiday and others don't?  I know that there is a certain amount of animosity between the 2 sects that hold it and those who don't hold it and I was wondering why that is.  I heard different reasons for saying Hallel or not saying Hallel. Should we say Hallel on this day or not? also if one goes to a Yom Haatzmaut party since its during sfira can music be played and listened to. if you could help me that would be great.

Anonymous,
Toronto

Rabbi Leff's response

434

I have a traditionally observant close relative who lives in Israel as I do. She couldn't understand how my Yeshiva will not be taking off for Yom Haatzmaut. Please could you advise the best way to respond to such a question in a way that someone coming from that more traditional and Zionistic background could understand? Thanks so much for making yourself available for our questions!

Anonymous,
Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

433

Over 9 years ago my husband left me and we divorced several months later. At the time we had 2 children together. Boruch Hashem I re-married within the year and my children are being raised exclusively by me and my new husband. Our blended family also includes my 2 step children and the 2 children we have been blessed with together (we are expecting I"YH another child in a few weeks). My question is; my ex-husband is Ashkenazi, and my husband is Sephardic. Since my children from my previous marriage are being raised in our household exclusively are they to hold Ashkenazi minhagim or Sephardic minhagim. My daughter is 14 1/2 and my son is 9 1/2. My son has been raised by my Sephardic husband since he was a year and a half and considers him his father. He doesn't even remember a time that his biological father was even around since he was only 8 months old when he left. At the time of his Bar Mitzva will he be obligated to take on Ashkenazi minhagim even though the rest of the family follows Sephardic minhag?

Susan Benzaquen,
Kochav Yaakov, Israel

Rabbi Leff's response

432

Often, towards the end of davening, there are several kaddishes said in rapid succession of each other. If I am still davening, must I answer amen at every permissible point or not, since I can hardly utter a full sentence without having to answer amen?

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

431

For those who are machmir not to rely on the sale of chometz for chometz gamur, what exactly falls into the category of chometz gamur? For example are foods like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise or sauces that list wheat in the ingredients included in this category?

T. Nathan,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

430

Assuming that the duty free shops in Ben Gurion Airport are owned by a Jew, is one allowed to purchase whiskey from the stores, as there may be a CHASHASH that the produce was not sold for Pesach. If so, does one have to wait for the stores to replenish their stocks before buying? Thanks.

Raphy Garson,
Har Nof, Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

429

Why do some shuls not say the prayer for the State of Israel on Shabbos? If it's a problem with asking for things on Shabbos then why is a regular Mi SheBerach different? Thank you.

Aaron,
Israel

Rabbi Leff's response

428

Is one permitted to shave during the Omer period once per week just before Shabbos?

Anonymous,
Miami Beach, FL

Rabbi Leff's response

427.

Many sefarim talk about the deep meaningful insights in the practices in the chagim apart from giving us a better understanding of Hashem and out avoda should we have thease ideas as part of our kavonoh when we perform the mitzvah? ie the four cups on pesach and the many reasons why we drink them. Thank you so much for your wonderful help.

Gidon Lyons,
Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

426.

Do we see anywhere that burying items with the dead is practiced.

Gidon Lyons,
Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

425.

Why on Shabbat does the Shmonei Esrei not come in the form of requesting and just in the form of statements?

Gidon Lyons,
Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

424.

It is well known that one cannot cry on Shabbat.

If I am moved by a divrei Torah, a moving story or a part of davening and moved to tears to connect to Hashem, have I done something wrong?

Gidon Lyons,
Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

423.

Why is it that the Gedolei Yisrael, and basically all the Jews in Europe for five hundred years, preferred to speak Yiddish as a vernacular as opposed to speaking in loshon Kodesh? I thank the Rav for taking his time out to help me with this question. Zai Gezunt

Dovid,
Long Island, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

422.

Does the Torah tell us anything about ghosts, aliens, and something like the Lochness monster?

Anonymous,
Toronto

Rabbi Leff's response

421.

My Chavruta told me that men have to cover their elbows and cited as proof the Mishna Berurah on Siman 2:1 which says "a man may expose his arms up to the 'kovdo'" Is this true? What are the laws of modesty for men and do they have the same level of stringency as for women.

T. Gordon,
Yerushalayim

Rabbi Leff's response

420.

Where does the minhag of putting shoes on right-left and then tying them left-right?

Anonymous,
Toronto

Rabbi Leff's response

419.

I have an interesting book written by fanatic Christian wackos. Nevertheless, there are some good points. The book is called "the power of positive thinking." It contains quotes from the bible including from the tanach. Is it asur to read this book in the bathroom? Thank you Rabbi Leff

Anonymous,
USA

Rabbi Leff's response

418.

Where does the Minhag of wearing hats and jackets to Davening originate from?
Thank You.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

417.

I've heard that the Chazon Ish Z"YA said that Lincoln was wrong for freeing the slaves, if this is true what was his reasoning? Does the Torah law to treat slaves well because we were slaves still apply to African Americans? Also I have unfortunately noticed a high amount of prejudice toward blacks in the Jewish community, how does the Rav feel about this, and how should one react to examples of prejudice?

Dovid B.
Long Island

Rabbi Leff's response

416.

Concerning the practice of naming people with non-biblical or non Lashon-kodesh names (i.e. Yiddish Zalman or Israeli Oren) are these names really their names?, do they have a higher status than a purely secular name like Edward? Why are they used in calling a person up for an aliyah? and what is the mekor for the use of yiddish names, which generally are based in secular languages (i.e. Shlomo Zalman, or Yitchok Aizik) Thank you very much Rav Leff

Dovid B.
Long Island

Rabbi Leff's response

415.

If one tied a permanent kesher on shabbos, if the knot is saved, can some of the damage be undone retroactively if one unties the knot on motzaei shabbos?

Thank you very much, chag kasher v'sameach.

Dovid B.
Long Island

Rabbi Leff's response

414.

The Gemara in Megilla(12a says that there is a Machlokes Rav and Shmuel if Achashveirosh was a Melech Tipesh or Melech Pikeach for inviting the farther or closer people first to his seudah... I understand if it was that one said he should have don't it one way and one said the other way. But saying Melech Tipesh, that means that ( let's say Rav held he was smart for doing the way he did it ) that means that if he would have the choice to do it , he would have done it the same way. And Shmuel would be calling him Tipesh!?! How do we reconcile this apparent insult?
Thank you very much

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

413.

Is the Lubavitcher Rebbe Moshiach? Thank you

Ovi F.
Long Island, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

412.

If G-d hates divorce, why did he allow Moses or make it available to gods people in the bible. did he allow his people to make decisions without asking in prayer first. Thank you.

Linda Filipiuk
Staten Islan, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

411.

Does Minhag have to be based in Halachah.  I always understood that is what was what minhag is people refer to family Minhagim if they need to be based in halachah then some may not be minhagim that how the ideas of a minhag shtoos was formed. How did Minhagim form?

Isn't this against the codification of Halachah?

Gidon Lyons,
Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

410.

A friend of mine told me that if a Jewish women is the center of attention - that is if she sings on stage in front of women or giving a speech for women or even if she teaches - she breaches some level of HER tznius. If you teach - then for chinuch it's okay but it still breaches tznius.

If you do - and you want to keep the level of tznius you're on - should you stop teaching? Is there any way to do something to combat it?

Michal,
Switzerland

Rabbi Leff's response

409.

I understand the concept of bitul (bitul b'rov, bitul b'shishim) that exists before Pesach. With Chametz this does not exist during Pesach as chametz is oser b'mahshehu (prohibited with the smallest amount).


If I have a pot which is chametzdik (used throughout the year for, say, making chicken soup). I thoroughly clean it so that there is no residue left. Now I use this pot to prepare chicken soup for Pesach. Is there anything wrong with this procedure since I can rely on bitul for any chametz that may derive from the walls of the pot (nosain tam). I have no intention of using the pot during Pesach.

Dovid Travers,
Melbourne, Australia

Rabbi Leff's response

408.

We have a 4 year old apricot tree which is just now producing fruit. Is the fruit permitted to us or do we have to wait 3 years from the time it starts to give fruit?

Shoshana Roth,
Torrence, CA

Rabbi Leff's response

407.

Many thanks to the Rav for taking time to answer this question.  Who was Lilith?  The only answer I have been given so far is that she was the predecessor of Chava.  But that is just a definition.  Who is she and what happened to her and why?

Aviva,
Baltimore, MD

Rabbi Leff's response

406.

Who holds that one should wear the techailes that they have now? Thank you very much for this wonderful website.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

405.

My friend is planning to get married on the third of Sivan. Is he exempt
from the custom of fasting before the wedding?

S.Z. Jessel,
Matityahu

Rabbi Leff's response

404.

I am not a Rabbi, but in my Jewish community, something strange happens...:
In the Beth-HaKnesset of my Jewish community (Orthodox), from some months, comes to pray a Goy converted by the Conservative Jews... We do not count him for the Minyan.

But, during the Tfilah in the morning, he uses to wear the Tefillin (Ksherim). Is it allowed for a Conservative Jew (a Goy, in this case) to wear the Tefellin? Thanks!

Mordechai,
Italy

Rabbi Leff's response

403.

What is the Rav's opinion on buying German made products like car and other things? Should I go out of my way not to buy them?

Zevi,
New Jersey

Rabbi Leff's response

402.

I will like to know if a messianic Jew may indulge in smoking of India hemp smoking.
And also fact about the Jewish faith. I'm asking because I just got converted into the faith, and my parents are head bond on me to stop, simply because of the name 'Y-H-W-E-H'

Ejim Timothy,
Nigeria

Rabbi Leff's response

401.

Is there a need to do teshuvah for sins transgressed before marriage, since chazal say getting married wipes away sins? Thank you and regards.

Erez Rozen,
Los Angeles

Rabbi Leff's response

400.

What is the prohibition in taking a photograph on Shabbos with a simple camera that has no batteries? If one removes the film from a camera after exposure, one cannot discern anything whatsoever. In fact if no care is taken, NOTHING remains,
like writing on a water surface with a finger.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

399.

I have 4 questions that have been bothering me.

1.  Can a Jewish man grow his hair long if he still wears a yarmulka?  Also can he cut it later or is he considered to be a nazir.

2. Sometimes on shabbos when you walk past peoples homes their automatic lights turn on.  Are you considered to be a mechalel shabbas, do you have to walk in the street and not on the sidewalk if this problem is prevalent in your neighborhood.

3.  If a Jewish man knows that he has cancer and will get radiation treatment, is he allowed to bank his sperm for future use so he won't have to worry about being infertile or having disabled children?

4.  What is the rabbi's opinion on "survival of the fittest" according to Charles Darwin is it against torah thought?

A.K.,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

398.

It has become more and more common these days to see men learning all day while the wives work. I am a little confused about this. I was under the impression that the man is supposed to work while the mother is supposed to stay home and teach the kids the proper way. Rambam also says that a man should not learn without working because it is a disgrace to Hashem's name. I was listening to parshas Yisro in shul a few weeks back and when the baal korei read the commandment about shabbos, I noticed it says that six days a week you shall work. That sort of language sounds like its mandatory not optional. I am not knocking people that learn all day; I am just trying to understand. Thank you very much for this service and the great website. Much Hatzlacha.

Zev,
Lakewood, NJ

Rabbi Leff's response

397.

We hear each day of people waiting for organ donations. 1: Can and should we sign up to be organ donors, halachically speaking and 2: if halachically it is permissible then are we obligated to do so.

Moshe,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

396.

Kvod HaRav Shlita,

I thank the Rav for taking time to answer my question.

I attended to a "Hebrew Academy" in America with a girl, who eventually turned her back on Judaism while studying law, married an Arab who she defended in court (arrested and imprisoned for terror activities by the Israelis),lives in Bethlehem and works as a virulent anti-Israel lawyer for the UN, and acts on behalf of Hamas terrorists and their families. I am greatly saddened by what she has become. Does the Rav have any suggestions on any ways that may help bring her back to Yiddishkeit?

Also, what is the Din regarding Jews who support Arab murderers who kill Jews, such as the Neturei Karta who actively support the PLO? May one buy a Mezuzah or Tefillin from a Neturei Karta Sofer? May they be counted in a minyan? May we eat meat shechted by a Neturei Karta shochet? Is there a difference between the Din of Neturei Karta here in Eretz Yisroel as opposed to those who live in Chul?

Kol Tuv, and many thanks.

Akiva,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

395.

When Amoraim or Rishonim qualify the statements of their predecessors and limit their statements to a very specific case, do we have to assume that was really  the intention of the braisa or maimra, or is it merely the amora's/rishon's interpretation?

Yossi,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

394.

Why is it that Avraham Avinu pleads for the city of Sedom but does not say a word when Hakadosh Boruch Hu commnads him to kill his own son? I recently heard a pshat that seems heretical that Avraham actually failed for this reason. Can the Rav please explain- Thank you.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

393.

I recently saw a Beis Halevi which says that hishtadlus is merely a heter given because one may not yet be on a madrega where he realizes that everything is from Hakadosh Boruch Hu. After hearing many shmoozim on Bitachon I still haven't been able to get a straight answer on how one is to evaluate the balance between hishtadlus and bitachon in a practical manner. Will the Rav please offer some specific guidelines or methods of being able to tell where one is at and how one can tell if he has real bitachon or is merely fooling himself. Thank you very much for your time.

Yossi,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

392.

my pregnant wife have to take vitamins with a hechsher?

Aharon Natinsky,
Neve Yaakov

Rabbi Leff's response

391.

When Yaakov purchased the b'chora from Eisav, did that include the brachos, & if so why was it necessary to trick Yitzchok into thinking he was Eisov, why couldn't he just show him the proof of purchase?

T. Nathan,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

390.

I am doing a project for my World Religions course in school and the topic that I need to research is: If G-d is so powerful, why is there suffering in the world?  I have researched this topic and have only found the Christian side to the story; however, I need the Jewish side to it.  Could you please tell me what the Torah has to say about this topic?

Ariel Picillo,
Toronto

Rabbi Leff's response

389.

Is there any problem (such as b'chukosayhem losaylaychu - following the ways of the nations) in going to a sporting event at a stadium?

Thanks !

T. Nathan,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

388.

Since I am in the parsha of shidduchim, may I leave my cell-phone on during davening as it might be a shidduch call which the shadchan will forget about completely if I don't answer?

Anonymous,
Haifa

Rabbi Leff's response

387.

Dear Rabbi Leff,

Firstly, I wanted to say that what you do here on your website is an incredible mitzvah and you should be zoche to many years of hatzlocha because of this service!

Now on to my question: I went to a Bais Yaakov school where some girls who get married are lax in covering their hair completely, leaving about an inch or so of hair sticking out of their shetyls.

I would like to know the Torah view on this. Is it allowed? Is it totally an aveira? I read the teshuva of Rav Moshe Feinstein awhile back and it seems to me that it only applied in a certain woman's case. Because of this many women seem to be using it as an excuse to leave that half a tefach showing because "technically" it's not showing the amount that is completely assur.

I would appreciate any input you have on this subject as it's a very sore topic among many people. Thank you again.

Anonymous,
Switzerland

Rabbi Leff's response

386.

Dear Rabbi Leff,

How does one refrain from doing an aveira (particularly under the category of "lo sasuru acharay levavchem") that he is prone to doing? I heard that learning Torah is an option. What happens if you are a girl? How can she stop herself from doing it again (and again)

I'd appreciate some practical examples. Thank you very much for all your help - tizku l'mitzvos!

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

385.

I want to grow long-curls (peyos) like Orthodox Jewish men do? Could you please email me, telling "step-by-step" on "how to" grow them?

Anonymous,
New Hampshire

Rabbi Leff's response

384.

Many places in the siddur, as well as in common parlance, we use the phrase "Ribono shel olam."  Why is it "Ribono?"  Doesn't that mean His mastery?  Shouldn't it be "Ribon shel olam?"

Robert,
USA

Rabbi Leff's response

383.

For the sake of Chinuch, Loving your children and Shalom Bayit, how should a parent deal with a child that is having difficulty in adhering to mitzvot, without turning them away? How do you deal with the other children who you hope will not be affected negatively by the experience?

Moshe,
Israel

Rabbi Leff's response

382.

Some girls from my high school recently designed a sweatshirt which has "im ain kemach ain Torah" written on the back. Would one be allowed to wear this sweatshirt in the bathroom?

Anonymous,
Brooklyn

Rabbi Leff's response

381.

Concerning the bracha of a Rebbe or great Rav.

1. When Hashem responds to him and not to others, how does this work. Surely Hashem does not change His mind, and why does He respond, so as to speak to the Rebbe and not the ill person for example?

2. Are those people who have never heard of this concept at a disadvantage?

Many thanks.

Reuvein Ben Dov,
Har Nof

Rabbi Leff's response

380.

If the purpose of tefilla is to change ourselves and raise ourselves up to be mekabel Hashems gifts,then why is their a chiuv to daven btzibur or with a specific nusach? What if one finds it easier to focus and daven bychidus or in his own words?

Yossi,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

379.

Dear Rabbi Leff,

I recently moved to Zurich , Switzerland and plan to stay there only temporarily.
For the moment I am there for over a year and a half and i intend to stay for another year.

Somebody from shul where i often daven came over to me asking me if i would like to become a member of that shul. Is there any obligation to be a member of a shul/community? ( Zurich has two main communities)

Anonymous,
Zurich, Switzerland

Rabbi Leff's response

378.

If I am in the middle of the bracha to be mekadesh levana and someone comes over to me and says sholom aleichem, am I allowed to answer aleichem sholom or is it a hefsik?

Zevi,
New Jersey

Rabbi Leff's response

377.

Oftentimes, when I wake up, I need to run to the bathroom. Is this a problem, since I go before I have a chance to say Modeh Ani, and netilas yadaim?

Thank you.

Anonymous,
England

Rabbi Leff's response

376.

May I preface this question by stating that I my intent is not to be mezalzel in the minhag in question, just to understand it: Certain Chassidic groups have the custom that women who get married must shave their heads. Is not one of the purposes of a wife to be "beautiful" for her husband? As Chazal say says "En Isha Ela LeYOFI, Lebanim Ultachshtin". In addition, we find that in order to make the ISH YEFAT TOAR ugly, she too mush shave her head! I was told that there is a midrash that states: When Abraham went down to mitzrayim he said "I didn't know till now how beautiful you (Sara) was - this refers to his seeing her hair. Surely the above indicates that hair shaving should be frowned upon. I personally know of someone who was present at a wedding, when after the BEDEKENING a screen was put up and the KALA was shaved. I was told she broke down as this happened. She was then led to her chupa, after this "humiliating experience.

My question is how does the above conform with the time old principle "DERACHEA DARCHE NOAM VEKOL NETIVOTEA SHALOM?" Is this what Hashem expects?
Furthermore I have heard explanations that the shaving is done, based on the zohar, to prevent chatzsisa at the time of tevila? If so, how come all other Jews for centuries were happy to have someone watching over to ensure "EN SEAR SAF AL PENE HAMAYIM" ??

Please clarify is possible the above minhag.
Thank You

Raphy Garson,
Har Nof, Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

375.

Which is the religious point of view (in the Orthodox Judaism) about the problem of the evil and the Shoah?

Rabbi Leff's response

374.

I've read that Rav kook had the practice of refraining from meat aside from on Shabbos. Additionally I've read that others have endorsed similar views, how does the Rav feel about this?

Dovid B.,
Long Island, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

373.

May one eat in a restaurant whose proprietor feels that the Lubavitcher Rebbe is the moshiach, if it is under a widely accepted hashgacha? Furthermore, is it permitted for a person to daven in a shul where the majority of the congregants feel that the Rebbe zt"l is moshiach, and perhaps participate in the recitation of Yechi?

Dovid B.,
Long Island, NY

 

Rabbi Leff's response

372.

My wife and I live in Jerusalem and my only other family in Israel is a non-religious cousin, who I am quite close to, who lives in Tel Aviv. The only opportunity to really see each other is over Shabbos. If my cousin asks to come for a Shabbos meal (where she would be driving in) is there any reason to allow her to do so or should I try avoiding it completely.

Thanks so much for this incredible service!!

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

371.

In the church there are persons with different gifts of the spirit that god has given to them .I want to known is the color that represents each gift of the spirit. In regards to Joseph's coat of many colors
do the colors of the coat represents the different gifts of the spirit.

What does Richard means in Hebrew?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

370.

Shalom Ubracha!  If one learns that his doctor is engaged in insurance fraud on an ongoing basis, by charging for procedures which never occurred, is it mesirah to notify the insurance company?  What if one is reasonably confidant the insurance company will notify the attorney general?

Yitzchok Shuster,
Forest Hills, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

369.

Why is it that Jews today seem to be of different descents; that is, there is a variety of skin tones, etc.  Historically, can we be 100% certain that Jews today have descended throughout the ages without intermarrying with other nations.  For example, is it possible that Sephardic Jews may be darker or Ashkenazic Jews may be lighter as a consequence of marrying into the native people of those places?  Thank you for clarifying.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

368.

Having just returned from Eretz Yisrael, I have found that most American  are completely ignorant of what the real differences are between mehadrin and non mehadrin hechsharim in Israel (for example, the “regular”Rabbunat Hechsher in Yerushalayim and Rabbunat Mehadrin Yerushalayim).

Can the Rav please tell us in very practical terms what the differences are?   Are dairy restaurants that are not mehadrin just as problematic as meat restaurants?

Adam,
Cedarhurst, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

367.

Having had a sexual relationship for two years and then no sexual contact for the last year and still have a strong relationship and discovering we are still happy after the year it is necessary to become shomer negiah? If so why, since the contact has already taken place?

Anonymous,
Scotland

Rabbi Leff's response

366.

What is Goral Hagra?
From where did it originate?
How does it work?
Does it work today in 5764 ?

Thanks very much and Hazlachah with all your wonderful work.

Gidon Lyons,
Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

365.

You recently wrote an article on parshat Shmot called "Living to Work."  Aish.com published your writing and it was a fabulous article, quite illuminating.  The only thing I didn't understand was your usage of the word avodah.  You defined avodah as purposeless work/menial labor.  But I thought the work done in the Beit HaMikdash was Avodah and that certainly was not purposeless or menial.  I also thought that, according to Pirkei Avot, the world stands on three things, one of them being Avodah (which is often understood as prayer); I would be surprised if one of the three pillars of the world is meaningless/menial work.   How do we reconcile all of this?

Mark Newman.
USA

Rabbi Leff's response

364.

I am flying to Italy arriving one half hour after Netz ( 8:30 ) However I leave Israel one hour before Netz in Israel which is 6:30 AM . When should I daven. If I should daven in Italy , can I eat the breakfast before. I need the answer today since I am flying late tonight. Thank you

Yaakov,
Jerusalem

 

Rabbi Leff's response

363.

I learned in school that when it is time for kedusha - one raises themselves on their toes for kadosh, baruch, and yimloch. For some reason, many women in various shuls bow at the waist. Are they doing something that is incorrect? Is what they are doing equivilant to the lifting of one's feet?

Another Question: I also learned that by Kadish - when we say "Amen, yehay..." you're supposed to bow low like you do by barchu. Many men and women just stand there - I've seen it in a lot of shuls. Are they doing something wrong too?

If these things are not done in the correct way - should I enlighten them?

 

Michal,
Switzerland

Rabbi Leff's response

362.

Dear Rabbi Leff,

If someone you worked with (a goy) gets engaged to a Jewish girl, is it forbidden to congratulate him?

Anonymous,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

361.

There has been a lot of discussion about how publishers of gedolim biographies revise and censor out much of what that gadol did in order to make him look like a preset image of an "ideal" gadol. Does the Rav hold that this is right or wrong?

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

360.

I teach college and prepare students for debate using factual material. I have been unable to find research or academic level material against yeshiva draft. Can you help? Thank you

Linda Wolff,
Israel

Rabbi Leff's response

359.

I graduated elementary school 23 yrs ago.  This past week my friends and I have " found each other" and we have been e-mailing back and forth. Tonight motzei shabbos when I checked my mail I saw that one person e-mailed on shabbos to me and the group.  Obviously she isn't shomer shabbos.  Should I say something?
Thanks so much.

Miriam,
Brooklyn, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

358.

You discussed the idea of "developing your potential" in last weeks shabbos drasha and in the past.
As we know the name of a person is expressive of his qualities and capabilities.

My question is: How do I know what my capabilities are? How do I know what my purpose is in this life? Shall I look at my name and then look in chazal what that name represents?
In addition at a bris we give the name to a child. Does that mean that whatever name we choose, his name will represent his qualities?

Anonymous,
US

Rabbi Leff's response

357.

Dear Rabbi Leff,

Is Knitting allowed on Motzoei Shabbos for pleasure?

Anonymous,
Switzerland

Rabbi Leff's response

356.

Kvod HaRav, Shalom U'Vracha,
Does one need to stand inside the shul/beis medrash to be included in the minyan, or is it enough to be standing by the door or within sight and sound of the other people davening?

Akiva,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

355.

It is frightfully cold here in Massachusetts , and my hands get painfully chapped.  Could you please explain to me how many times I must wash my hands with a vessel (since I already wash them after they become soiled and after using the restroom and before I prepare food).  Between the restroom and the food, I am already washing my hands at least a half dozen times a day with soap and water.

Robert,
Massachussetts

Rabbi Leff's response

354.

What is the Rav's opinion of movies that have Torahedik themes (like there is a another dimension more "real" than this one, and our actions help influence how it interacts with us)being used to help teach Jewish concepts to nonobservant Jews?

Anonymous,
USA

Rabbi Leff's response

353.

L'chvod Harav Leff-

1) Why is it that frumkeit with women have been based on covering hair or not and if a women wears pants. Does this have Rabbinic source and origin, or is it something that the Jewish communities have decided themselves. Why are these 2 Isureim from the Torah chosen? What about Lashon Hara or any other things that are forbidden or required by the Torah? Lashon Hara may be widespread unfortunaly, but why should that make a difference? It is still forbidden from the Torah. What about other Mitzvos Bein Adom L'chavairo? Doesn't the penimius of a person matter as well? Is it not just as important to be a mentch?

2) I heard that a person is not allowed to trust the kashrus of a married women who doesn't cover her hair. Is this idea true and does it have any Rabbinic origin? Why?
 
I would like to thank the Rav for taking time, I really appreciate it very much.

Adina,
Chicago

Rabbi Leff's response

352.

After learning SIMAN 257 in SH"A, the following question arose. Is one allowed to send a document with DHL/Fed Ex. on Friday? IS this considered "KEILU" you instructed the goy to deliver the document on Shabbat or not? I can not find the question discussed in the acharonim. Your view and perhaps some MEKOROT would be much appreciated.

Thanks again for your time and a superb service. CHAZAK UBARUCH

Raphy Garson,
Har Nof, Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

351.

Is there an prohibition involved if one rents out a hall for a function, when the hall in question is owned by a reform shul? Can the reasoning that one who rents the hall is considered the owner of the hall, be a reason to permit it? Thanks.

Raphy Garson,
Har Nof, Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

350.

If a first born baby boy is not well enough to have the bris on time can you have the pidyon haben before the bris?If you can does it proceed as normal? Thank you for you time.

Zev,
Lakewood, NJ

Rabbi Leff's response

349.

We recently had a very negative experience with a furniture store, and we know that they lied to us on more than one occasion. We are wondering if it is permitted for us to publicize our experience (in effect, to warn others), or would it be considered lashon hara?

Anonymous,
Beit Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

348.

: I have a non-Jewish friend who is unaffiliated to any religion however has always looked to Judaism in search of truths. He has been asking me recently (via email) if I could explain the role of the Non-Jew in the eyes of Judaism both in this world and in Olam HaBa. Could you please clarify and give me guidelines as to what areas I am permitted to answer him in.

Thanks

Anonymous,
Israel

Rabbi Leff's response

347.

Is a Kohen permitted to go to a reform levaya (for wifes grandfather) and cover the aron with earth as all relatives present are elderly the niftar was a kohen and the kevura will be in the kohens section of reform cemetery?

R. Stepsky,
London

Rabbi Leff's response

346.

What is the daas torah on religious Zionism? Thanks!

T. Nathan,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

345.

What is the bare minimum of men necessary answering amen to the chazras hashatz, i.e. how many have to have finished their 18 before the chazzan can begin?

Thanks for a wonderful service to Klal Yisroel !

T. Nathan,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

344.

What tshuva (repentance) should a person do for the aveiros (sins) of hotzoas zerah l'vatalah (spilling one's seed) & the violation of hilchos tznius bein ish l'ishto (modesty between a man and his wife)?

Thanks for all you do !

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

343.

Dear Rabbi;

Does the fact that a man's wife is no longer able to have children(due to a medical condition) change the halachot of "zera l'batala" (spilling one's seed unncessarily) for that man?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

342.

What is the Jewish belief on the christian concept of lucifer being the angle of music who fell from grace, challenged G-d and became the satan?

Tracey Limebeer,
Glenhazel, Johannesburg, South Africa

Rabbi Leff's response

341.

What is the Rav's view regarding the HECHSHER for Aurbach Chickens sold here in ISRAEL. I've heard from various opinions and as of yet have no clear PSAK to indicate whether these chicked meet mehadrin standards. Thanks.

Anonymous,
Israel

Rabbi Leff's response

340.

If I see a beggar smoking, may I refrain from giving him tzedaka since he uses the money to buy cigarettes?

Moshe Peretz Mann.
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

339.

What may a women daven for after she lights Shabbos candles? I've heard that on Shabbos one cannot daven for specific things, especially material requests. Therefore, can one daven for someone who is sick, sick people in general, or shidduchim for example?

Tracey Rozen,
Los Angeles, CA

Rabbi Leff's response

338.

As a gabbai, I decide who I want to call up for an aliya on shabbat by taking their card from a box. Can I change my mind if I so desire?

Anonymous,
Netanya

Rabbi Leff's response

337.

I am wondering about the issue of cholov yiroel milk. i have heard that the rabanim made a takono only to drink cholov yisroel milk, but in the early days of USA, because barely no cholov yisroel milk was available, Rav Moshe Feinstein made a heter that because the government law was so stringent that only cows milk may be used, one could drink non-cholov yisroel milk. My question then is did Rav Moshe Feinstein say that the hetter was only available then, or is it also now ok to drink non-cholov yisroel milk?

Furthermore, if it is that because kosher milk is widely available that it is now only right to drink cholov yisroel milk, if one were to travel to a remote area where no cholov yisroel milk was available, could one drink this milk?

I thank the Rav and the webmaster very much for their time; much appreciated!

Gila,
London, UK

Rabbi Leff's response

336.

How does the Rav suggest parents answer their childrens' questions about dinosaurs, age of the earth, etc.?

Robert Rubovitz.
Sharon, MA

Rabbi Leff's response

335.

What are the parameters of being halachikally connected to the mesorah (tradition)? If one doesnt to attatch himself to a Rebbe Muvhak or doesnt inherit a specific derech halimud', is this person somewhat outside of the mesorah?

Yossi,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

334. I have to choose a good Beth-HaMidrash LaRabbanim where to study.
What do you think about the Yeshiva University environment, jewish atmosphere,especially about The Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary?

Is it more university than yeshiva or is it more yeshiva than university?

Thanks!

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

333.

I know that we're not allowed to use lights on shabbos, because when we turn them on that might create a spark somewhere in the generator. But what if we were to come up with a method of creating lights (by the use of chemicals or nuclear reactions) where no sparks are involved. Are we allowed to use them then, and also, how does this opinion extend to the use of electricity that has nothing to do with lights?

Anonymous,
USA

Rabbi Leff's response

332.

Is it possible for Chazal to make mistakes regarding scientific & other non halachic information e.g spontaneous generation? Is the existence of the parsha of "par helem dovor" proof that they could make a mistake? Is the scientific & medical info in shas (Talmud) considered torah shel baal peh that was received at Sinai?

Thank you !

TN,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

331.

What are the halacos for women regarding shaving?

Thank you

Anonymous,
USA

Rabbi Leff's response

330. Shalom Uvracha, Rav Leff Shlita,

My eight year old son Yonnason asked his Rebbe last year a question. I have an answer but could not find anyone who speaks about. In Sefer Shmos Perek Gimmel Pasuk Ches Hashem tells Moshe that (Benei Yisroel) will go up from the land of Mitzryim to Eretz Tova Urchava El Arutz Zavas Chalav Udvash El Makom Ha Kahani... however in Pasuk Yud Zion when Hashem tells Moshe to tell Ziknay Yisroel it says El Eretz Kahani and then Eretz Zavas Chalav Udvash?

I am thinking when Hashem speaks to Moshe, Moshe is on the level to hear the greatness of the land of Israel first and is not concerned about the difficulty of the Jewish nation occupying a land that has many inhabitants. When Hashem instructs the Moshe to tell the Ziknay Yisroel he must speak on their level which would be first concerned with the occupants of Eretz Yisroel.
What does the Rav think?
Thank you.

Emanuel Gentilcore
Beitar Illit, Israel

Rabbi Leff's response

329.

If a person's second name is left on on the ketubah, is this a problem that should be fixed? Should I fill it in myself or would I need aidim or someone else to do it. I was told by a rabbi it is okey but wonder if he is in error.

Anonymous,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

328.

In the decades preceding WWII, many people preferred to remain in Europe and risk their life in spite of the imminent danger rather than emigrate to America and into what they perceived as an environment where it would be very difficult to remain shomer torah umitzvos. But what is the actual halacha with regard to that decision? Is one halachicly obligated to give up his life if he has a choice between being killed or moving to a place where it will be difficult to remain frum?

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

327.

My children would like to get a dog. I was told by a rebbe in yeshiva that "Real Jews don't have dogs". And I live in a frum community where having dogs is frowned upon. And I've heard people say that if you have enough love and resources to share with a dog, then why not have another child and give your love and resources to the child rather than a dog. Now I don't really care either way whether we have a dog or not, but it would make my children happy, and they would be taking care of it, not me (yeah, right!). My son has said to me that we have the mitzva of "tzaar baalei chaim", and we are commanded to feed our pets before ourselves, so why, he asks, are we not allowed to have a dog which would give us the opportunity to fulfill these mitzvahs. Is there any halacha or minhag which prohibits owning a dog? How about other pets? Why is it that I see many frum families with fish, birds or even hamsters, etc, but not dogs or cats. Is there something inherently wrong with a dog? I've heard that the Maharal says that the word for dog in Hebrew - kelev is related to the words "kol lev" - all heart, and that sounds like a positive thing. Would the Rav please comment? Thank you very much.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

326.

How do you know if an Ayin Hara is placed on you? If a Rav tells you that there is one on you, how do you remove it? What is the truth behind the "red string"?

Anonymous,
NYC

Rabbi Leff's response

325.

Within our community is an academic who is highly critical of Israeli government policies and makes some of the Jewish students very uncomfortable with his pro-Palestinian views. What are the Shmiras Haloshen rules about what would be the "kosher" way to go about criticizing Israeli policies and politicians? He is getting older and I think is somewhat vulnerable and so I feel that if I presented him with a true Torah answer, he might do less public slandering of Israel. Many thanks.

Cherille,
USA

Rabbi Leff's response

324.

Does one get a mitzvah for learning Torah in a dream?

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

323.

The Medrash states that as a child is born, the Malach comes and punches it under the nose and that is why we have an indentation under our nose. But I saw a photograph of an unborn fetus that already had an indentation. How does the Rav explain this?

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

322.

The Eida DATI LEUMI, Modern Orthodox in America, recently began holding BAT MITZVA celebrations similar to that of a boy.
Namely, that just as a boy has a "Bar mitzvah Parsha", so too the girl. A TEFILA LENASHIM is arranged and the bat mitzva girl takes out the Torah and reads from it. This is accompanied with BRACHOT before and after the reading, ALIYOT, and Mi Sheberachs.

This FESTIVITY is now common in Israel. Are there any issurim involved? If the latter is in the affirmative, is there any room to be MEKIL since the event is not done in the presence of men? Assuming this is a problem, can one attend a SEUDA of such a girl, or is attending giving the GREEN LIGHT to such events? TO avoid family feuds can the seuda be attended in any event? Thanks for your time!

Raphy Garson,
Har Nof, Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

321.

One area I have difficulty in explaining to the newly observant is the question "How do we explain the significance of keeping 2 days of YOM TOB in Chutz La-aretz nowadays?" They ask me "If the whole TAKANA was because of POSSIBLE MISTAKES in calculation of the calendar, nowadays we know the date!" Other than the concept that once CHAZAL make a TAKANA, "Lo Zaz Mimekomo", why keep 2 days? On a KABALSTIC level the seforim say that CHUTZ LA-ARETZ is on a lower MADREGA than Israel, and therefore in order to fulfill the YOM TOV, 2 days need to be kept. These answers for one who is MAMIN in the words of chazal and Torat Hashem are fine. They don't however appease the aforementioned group. Please help?? TIZKU LEMITZVOT

Raphy Garson,
Har Nof, Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

320.

: I find the custom of blessing ones children on a Friday night a very beautiful one. My question is whether it would be appropriate to use the same blessing for ones wife also? If not, is there a blessing that one could or should say for ones wife? Thank you so much for all the time and effort you must put in to maintaining such a wonderfully helpful and enlightening site.

Anonymous,
London

Rabbi Leff's response

319.

Where does the custom of putting a kvital (note) in the kotel come from?

Aaron,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

318.

If a normal cohen married an almanah/widow and then the next day or week he was made cohen gadol does he have to divorce his wife?

Yisrael Segall,
Australia

Rabbi Leff's response

317.

I have seen very learned Jews wrap part of the retzuah of the tefillin shel yad on the side that the yud is attached and I have seen others make a major fuss about this as a result of the kedusha of the yud. I once came across this issue but cannot find the source now. Could you please clarify. Is there a mahlokes about it in the poskim?

Yisrael Kaniel,
Beit Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

316.

I have heard from some very learned people in the name of Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach that the cup for kiddush has to be filled to the very top. I have also heard from a talmid chacham and Rav in Yerushalayim in the name of Rav Shlomo Zalman that the cup simply has to be considered a full cup by normal standards, i.e. the liquid does not have to be filling every centimeter of the cup. Please clarify.

Yisrael Kaniel,
Beit Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

315.

Can a Jew learn and perform "Reiki" on others? (Reiki is a type of energy healing derived from Japan) I have heard that if taught by a shomer mitzvot person, it is allowed. I had been taught by a secular Jew, can I continue to do it?

Rachel,
Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

314.

How are we supposed to relate to reshaim, for example, Nazis, Arab/Moslem terrorists, etc.? On the one hand, all people are supposedly created b’tzelem Elokim, but on the other hand, these creatures seem to have lost their tzelem Elokim. Is there a point at which we are supposed to stop davening for them to do Teshuva and to be happy when they die, or are we supposed to always daven for them? Are we supposed to be happy that they are burning in Gehennom, or are we supposed to be sad? Thank you.

Yair,
Raanana

Rabbi Leff's response

313.

How was King Solomon able to marry the daughter of Pharaoh, if the Egyptians cannot become Jewish for 3 generations.

Levi,
Israel

Rabbi Leff's response

312. Would we recognize a marriage performed by a Conservative rabbi to be legitimate? I read that Moshe Feinstein once wrote that any rabbi who associates himself with something like the Conservative Movement cannot validly perform a wedding. If that is true, then does that mean that children that come out of that marriage are actually considered mamzers, which would mean that the majority of people today who think the are Jewish could actually be mamzers, because so many Jews today have parents who were wed according to perhaps non-Orthodox standards.

I also read that a wedding requires two kosher witnesses that must be completely shomer-mitvos....is this true? If a requirement like this is not met, is the wedding considered invalid, like it never happened?

Thank you for clarifying these points.

Anonymous,
Miami Beach, Florida

Rabbi Leff's response

311.

Shalom uVracha! I do not say the bracha of Yiru enenu between Hashkeveinu and the shmoneh esrei of Maariv, for I was taught that it constitutes a hefsek. If I come late to minyon and wish to daven shmonei esrei with the tzibbur, when I say bircas krias shma afterwards, should I say that brocha, since in that setting I need not be worried about hefsek, or since I don't usually say that brocha, I should not recite it here either. Thank you.

Yitzchak Shuster,
Forest Hills, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

310.

What are the Halachos regarding not talking and doing things after saying the beracha of hamapil in kirias shema. If a time passes and a person can't fall a sleep are they allowed to talk or do thing.

Adina Perlman,
Chicago, Illinois

Rabbi Leff's response

309.

Why do we read from the Torah every Shabbat?

Anonymous,
Israel

Rabbi Leff's response

308.

Is it true that a woman is created with one rib less then a man if yes, please explain.

Reuben Bennaim,
Palm Beach, FL

Rabbi Leff's response

307.

My question concerns a newly wed couple, married according to halachah, and this being the first marriage for both, and neither having children: may the woman use birth control pills (a method I have read most acceptable) before they have children? The reason would be so that the couple may finish graduate school and get an economic footing for a family first before having kids. They are Orthodox and very observant and certainly plan to have kids in a few years, after they are out of school and can earn a decent living. Many thanks for your reply.

Anonymous,
Dublin, Ohio

Rabbi Leff's response

306.

One of my students ask me what is the point of view of the Judaism regarding marijuana.

Eli Avram,
Caracas, Venezuela

Rabbi Leff's response

305.

My wife and I just got married, 1 month ago, She does not want to have kids now and I do not want to have intimate relation with her if there is no intention of procreating children first. How do we resolve such conflict, who is right, who is wrong? Any halachas that could help? Thank you.

Anonymous,
Los Angeles

Rabbi Leff's response

304.

We are not Jewish but have been invited to a Bat Mitzva. What is an appropriate monetary gift (I had heard something like the amount needed to be divisible by 7?) Also, because of a conflict in schedules we will only be able to attend the services and not the reception - is this ok? Thanks

Aubin Haestad,
Connecticut

Rabbi Leff's response

303.

When does one start counting for a Pidyon HaBen? Does one count the day of birth or 30 complete days? Thank you.

Simcha Shaiman,
Philadelphia, PA

Rabbi Leff's response

302.

I recently was discussing the topic of creation with a friend who is not an observant person. My friend asked where did Hashem come from? Who created him? I could not answer him. I would appreciate the answer to this question. Thank you Rabbi

Sam Davids,
Englishtown, NJ

Rabbi Leff's response

301.

During aseret y"teshuva after sim-shalom we say sefer chaim e.t.c. the words gezerot tovot seems superfluous. If u have chaim, bracha, parnasah, yeshua, nechama, thats already gerezot tovot?

Avi Amor,
London

Rabbi Leff's response

300.

It has come out that after the terrorist attacks in New York City in 2001 that they had scrambled some fighter jets to shoot down the hijacked planes. From a Torah perspective is this justified? At the time there was no way of knowing how many people would die in the buildings. Even if they did know how many would die. Can you kill 250 people aboard a plane to prevent more people from dying in the buildings? An opinion on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Zev,
USA

Rabbi Leff's response

299.

In Kedusha on Shabbos: do you bow by 'baruchu hu', or rise to your toes? Also, is it a real thing to bow right and left by 'vzeh el zeh v'amar'?

Anonymous,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

298.

I got past the part about al hamichya and forgot I had grapes. Should I repeat the bracha using eitz, or should I go on, and say haeitz at the end part of the bracha?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

297.

Kvod HaRav Shlita, Shalom U'Vracha,

My 8 year old son would like to ask,

"In the first perek of Shemot, we learn from some of the Mephorshim that the Jewish women in Egypt, gave birth to six children at a time. If so, why then, did Yocheved only have one at a time?".

Kol Tuv, and Shana Tova

Akiva and son,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

296.

The news consistently has reports of illegal radio stations being closed down. Many of these radio stations are reported to be charedi. Is there any halachic justification for these radio stations? In general, are there questionable areas (where the punishment is not death and the law is not requiring me to do something obviously against Torah) of "dina malchuta dina" in which we would not be required to follow the law exactly. Do the customs of the area come into play, such as jaywalking in a place where it is accepted?

Thank you

David,
Pennsylvania


Rabbi Leff's response

295.

I was very impressed with my neighbor's dog last week. When you put a piece of challah on a shelf above the light switch, the dog jumps up and turns the switch on or off as it gets the challah.


If the lights go off for some reason on Shabbat and need to be turned back on, is it okay to put a piece of challah on that shelf?

Thank you.

David,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

294.

Rav Leff - A simple question I think, but one I can't get a straight answer on. Can we kill spiders/insects etc in our homes (during the week - obviously not on Shabbos)? I've heard different reasons why we shouldn't - that we should have Hakaros HaTov for spiders because they shielded Dovid Ha'Melech or that if H" has a Malach that tells each blade of grass to grow etc..., then how can we freely destroy spiders/insects - his Beriyah.

Chaim Boruch,
Baltimore, MD

Rabbi Leff's response

293.

What's the reason we put our tzitzis in at a cemetery? Is it really possible to "embarrass" the deceased?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

292. Dear Rabbi Leff

I am currently studying the first book of the Torah. When H' tells Adam not to eat from the tree of good and evil, what makes Eve then tell the serpent that she can't eat it but all can't touch?

H' only said don't eat it, but she somehow says also not to touch it. What made her say this?

I have many theories, but I would appreciate the actual reason.

Thanking you

Mrs. Lawrence,
London, UK

Rabbi Leff's response

291.

Why is it that some people put tefilin on on chol hamoed and some dont but on rosh chodesh when we say the shemonah esreh after hallel we take it off because its like a yom tov. Following this custom shouldn’t everyone not use tefilin on chol hamoed?

Zevi,
New Jersey

Rabbi Leff's response

290.

How was the Hebrew Sabbath established and does it begin Friday evening and end Saturday evening or continue until sunrise on Sunday. Please forgive my ignorance on this subject but I am a gentile with little knowledge of such things...although I am willing to learn.

James,
Florida

Rabbi Leff's response

289.

I have been married for 7 years and I started to grow a beard 1 1/2 years ago and peyos 4 months ago. It gave me a lot of chizuk. The problem is that my wife absolutely objects the beard and the peyos to a point that shalom bayis is suffering. How should I act? Do I have to shave off the beard and cut the Peyos?

Anonymous,
Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

288.

On Rosh Hashana, should a woman without a husband make a shehechayanu on the candles and then make kiddush with a shehecheyanu (she will have company, but no men)?

Chaviva Goldsmith
Broward City, FL

Rabbi Leff's response

287.

Is it true that an unmarried woman past menopause who is dating a man who is divorced al pi halacha do not have the restrictions of Shomer Negiyah/Yichud, given that Nidah is not an issue? Is this in Shulchan Aruch, or in Shailah V'Teshuvas?

Chaim,
Boro Park

Rabbi Leff's response

286.

When cutting someone else's nails (one's child, for example) who needs to do netilas yadayim? The cutter or the cuttee or both? When I wipe my child’s bottom, do I need to do any kind of netilas yadayim?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

285.

In our Shule there is a big "machlokes". People that come after Kedusha for Mincha wait till after Chazaras Hashatz and make what they call a "Hoiche Kedusha" Is this permissible since everyone has already davened.

David,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

284.

In your drasha for yom kippur, with the moshol of bathing the child, you do not mention a most important reason for bathing (doing teshuva):even if we leave the child dirty, we will want him to look nice at certain important milestones such as birthdays. Since we don't know when the big milestone will come, when we will hopefully be sitting with the tsaddikim in Gan Eden, how can we expect to be welcomed there looking like a dirt ball? Therefore, we should do teshuva at least every year, so that we won't be all that dirty at the appointed time.

Brenda Bronner,
Antwerp, Belgium

Rabbi Leff's response

283. Could you please review the issue of a kittel. I have never worn one (and my father's line has not been religous for several generations so there are no minhagim) and have lived in places where many other married men did not wear a kittel at all (even on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Erev Pesach). I am temporarily living somewhere else now where most men do wear a kittel.
QUESTION #1 - Without the issue of minhag hamakom, I wanted to know how strong is the custom of wearing a kittel.
QUESTION #2 - And if most men do wear one where I live now, do I need to wear one?
QUESTION #3 - And if I return to a place where many men dont wear it, will I need to continue wearing it if I started due to my current residence?

I also wanted to thank the Rav for this website and making the chagim and every day more meaningful with the Torah you share. Ketiva u'Chatima Tova.

David,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

282.

This is a follow up to question # 272, re: fasting on erev rosh chodesh-and having a Yom Kippur Kattan. The Rav mentioned in the answer that one should make the kabbalah bli neder, and having in mind to be mekabel the fast only for the following day specifically- otherwise one could run into problems with possibly making a neder. If I made the kabbala bli neder but neglected to have in mind that it was only for Erev Rosh Codesh Elul- do I need to a have a specific hataras nedarim for this, or will the general hataras nedarim before the Yomim Noraim be sufficient?

I thank the Rav for his time and attention. Kol Tuv!

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

281. I am in regular contact with communities of observant Bnei Noah -- Gentiles who strive to keep the Torah as it pertains to them. Many of them honor the Sabbath Day in some fashion, in accordance with the suggestions and limitations set by Orthodox rabbis who guide them.

Some light candles and would like to say a variation of the prayer that is customarily said by Jews:

May it be Your will, Hashem, G-d of Israel, and G-d of all Humanity, that You show favour to me [my husband, my sons, my daughters, my father, my mother] and all my relatives; and that You grant us a long and good life; that You remember us with a beneficent memory and blessing; that You consider us with a consideration of salvation and compassion; that You bless us with great blessings; that You make our household complete; and that You cause Your presence to dwell among us.

Our question is, is the last phrase okay, or is the specific idea of the Divine Presence dwelling among us more appropriate to Jews.

Also, what does it mean, "make our households complete" (tashlim bateinu)?

Aside: If the rav wants, he can answer some or all of this question privately to me. I just thought it was an interesting question for the website and I also wanted non-Jews who see the site to know that their are Noahides around the world who they can make contact with.

Shlomo Zalman Jessel
Matityahu

Rabbi Leff's response

280.

Shalom uVracha! What is your opinion on electric shavers? If you do approve of them, do you regard them as mutar lechatchilah?

Yitzchok Shuster
Forest Hills, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

279.

Kvod HaRav Shlita, Shalom U'Vracha,

Thank the Rav VERY much for taking from his time to answer my questions. This question is a "follow-up" to question 265, in which the Rav mentioned Rav Moshe Feinstein's ZTs"L Psak regarding the chiyuv of living in Eretz Yisrael today, that it is "…only a voluntary Mitzva.". It is on the understanding of this Psak, that I would respectfully ask the Rav's help.

As far as I am able to understand the Igrot Moshe, Even HaEzer, Siman 102, the Rav says:

1. Most Poskim agree that living in Eretz Yisrael IS a mitzvah today.
2. By living in Eretz Yisrael one fulfills a mitzvah
3. For Rav Feinstein ZTs"L the justification for living outside of Eretz Yisrael stems from R' Chaim of the Tosfot in Ketubot who feared that due to the extreme holiness of Eretz Yisrael and the mitzvoth inherent in living there, and due to our lack of knowledge in how to maintain the appropriately holy lifestyle required, we are therefore exempt of the mitzvah of living in Eretz Yisrael.
It is on the last point that I would ask the RAv's help, seeing that it is seemingly upon this point that the Rav ZTs"L bases his Psak .

As to the aforementioned Tosfot in Ketubot, HaRav Yizchok Nissim A"H, former Rishon LeZion quoted the RIMAT A"H "…and even R' Chaim of the Tosfot didn't negate the mitzvah of living in Eretz Yisrael in times when there was no danger on the travels there(Sakanat Drachim)….", and HaRav Chaim David HaLevi A"H writes"…and we can't trust AT ALL his(R' Chaim's) preposition(that there is no mitzvah now of living in Eretz Yisrael), since a mistaken student(Talmid ToEh) wrote it(misquoting R' Chaim)."

But even if we accept the validity of R' Chaim's teaching as presented in the Tosfot in Ketubot, The SHL"A HaKadosh wrote "The holiness of Eretz Yisrael is like Gan Eden, even now while desolate, and she (Eretz Yisrael) is the gate to heaven for prayers to rise, as there is no possibility for them to ascend other than through there and then from there to the site of The Holy of Holies. AND I REJECT THE SATEMENTS THAT SAY THAT TODAY THERE IS NO MITZVAH TO LIVE IN ERETZ YISRAEL DUE TO THE UNIQUE MITZVOTH AND PUNISHMENTS FOR THOSE WHO TRANSGRESS THEM THERE. QUITE THE OPPOSITE, FORTUNATE IS HE WHO IS ABLE TO GO THERE (AS LONG AS THERE IS NO DANGER) AND BE AS ONE WHO HAS G-D AND THERFORE SHOWS THAT HE CLINGS TO G-D, AND HAS THE SHECHINAH REST ON HIM."

In another place in the Igrot Moshe, Yoreh DeAh 122, the Rav says there (and it is with awe and trepidation that I paraphrase his words), that there can be no Halachic injunction today to live in Eretz Yisrael, as due to our dispersion amongst the far corners of the earth, it would be too difficult to reach Eretz Yisrael.

While perhaps a valid point many years ago, is this relevant today? Today B"H, Eretz Yisrael is the center for Torah learning in the world. Millions of Jews live here in a free and open society in a high standard of living. Life expectancies and health care are among then highest in the world. Opportunities for livelihood are myriad and Tefilla and Torah learning have never been more accessible in any time in the past two thousand years. It is possible today to arrive in Eretz Yisrael, SAFELY from any point on the earth, as opposed to the hardships our forefathers had to endure when they came. In our times, the gates to Eretz Yisrael are easily and affordably opened. No pirates or plagues wait to ambush the Jew on his way here. And while there are dangers here, there are dangers (spiritual and physical) everywhere in the world, including supposedly "safe" places like America.

In light of all this, and in light of the fact that Rav Feinstein's opinion is a minority opinion regarding the chiyuv of living in Eretz Yisroel today, how should a Torah observant Jew in Eretz Yisroel regard his brethren who choose to live in the exile?
With tefillot for our speedy redemption, and with great love and thanks to the Rav Shlita.

Akiva

Rabbi Leff's response

278.

Hello dear rabbi:

I am an Iranian 16 year old boy who likes to learn Torah and distribute Torah all over.
But on the other hand in our city those religious persons are listened to who are educated. Therefore I want you first to pray for me (Yitzchak ben Asher) and also my friend (Yitzchak ben Aharon). And also tell us which of these two majors are better for us to go to? 1) Math 2) biology that as you know engineering would be obtained through math and medicine through biology..

Thank you. Shalom.

Yitchak,
Iran

Rabbi Leff's response

277.

Why do we hold the front 2 tzitzis by boruch sheamar?

Yaakov

Rabbi Leff's response

276.

Is a Kohen allowed to be a member of ZAKA?

David,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

275.

Hello, I am a yeshiva student and I study a lot. While studying I find that I get a headache. It is different then a regular headache. It is like a strain in the front of the head. I have gone to Doctors and specialists, but no one had any help. This only happens when I study alone without a study partner (chavrusah) please gives some
advice. Perhaps I should take some supplements? Tylenol does not help.
Thank you very much

Mechoel,
Brooklyn, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

274.

Shalom Aleichem! I was asked about the doors one
increasingly finds in hotels today that must be opened by electronic card. It appears most such doors have manual overrides, so they can be opened by a conventional key in an emergency. Therefore, a non-Jewish hotel employee could open such a door without resorting to malacha, if he wanted to. It is to save the time required to hunt down a manual key, that he uses the electronic one. So, in such a scenario, may one ask the non-Jew before Shabbos to open the door for him on Shabbos, even if he thinks the non-Jew will use the electronic card, because since he could use the manual key, should he use the electronic one, adaytei denafshei ko-oved? Would one need to have the non-Jew open the door for him at least once during the week as well?

Yitzchak Shuster

Rabbi Leff's response

273.

Should bulimics say brachot acharonot? (if they don't receive nutritional benefit from the food).

Thank you.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

272.

If one wanted to fast on erev rosh chodesh-and have a Yom Kippur Kattan, how would one go about doing that? Does one need to have in mind, or say a 'kabbalah' during mincha of the previous day that they intend to fast the following day, I thought I had once heard something along those lines ...Also, can/does one make any adjustments in their tefillos if they are fasting on erev rosh chodesh/yom kippur kattan.

I thank the Rav for his time and attention. Kol Tuv!

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

271.

Can you please explain what makes a community (Rabbim) special over an individual (yachid)?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

270.

We have recently bought an apartment in Jerusalem with the intention of moving in the next few years.

Our main dilemma is our children. They're ages range between 4 and 11 and are in Charedi schools in London. These schools have both a high level of chol (secular studies) and kodesh (religious studies). We find this very important to widen their option when they leave yeshiva.

We have heard that finding English type Chareidi schools is very difficult.

Please could the Rav advise on our course of action.

Thank You

Anonymous,
London

Rabbi Leff's response

269.

: I am hareidi and I have heard by many speakers about how the hareidi world knows how to listen to Gadolim and adhere to all they teach. I lately entered the business world and have heard all kinds of horror stories about the honesty of hareidim. I always took it as just a generalization. As time goes on I am seeing it more and more for myself and feel that this may not just be a generalization. The people that are looked down upon by the hareidim like the kipa saruga, have shown much higher standards in business. I feel uncomfortable with the hareidi business people and am very upset at them. HELP

Confused,
Israel

Rabbi Leff's response

268.

Dear Rabbi

My brother is gay and living in another city with another man as a couple. In some sense he is keeping kosher in his house, goes to Shul on Shabbos and supposedly nobody in his community knows about his double life.

Even though we knew about this, our married children don’t and we don’t want them to find out. They consider him a nice uncle that divorced and is living by himself.

In general, we tried to mentally block this situation and keep it kind of in the closet and keep the relationship.

The situation is that Pesach is coming and he wants to come to us for Yom Tov by himself and our children and their families will come to us too.

Our problem is that we feel that his being with us may affect the Kedushas ha Yom Tov but at the same time, we feel obligated to invite him to the Sedorim.

Our question is if it is halachically proper to have him by our Seder.

Thank you very much and have a Pesach Kosher VeSameach.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

267.

I married a Cohain and I am a gerusha (divorced). We married Orthodox. He told me he is a Cohain after we married. Can we do tshuva (repent) for this?

Chana,
Philadelphia

Rabbi Leff's response

266.

A corporation (owned by 1 person, an observant Jew)contracted with a non-observant Jew to provide a service. The recipient refused to pay the full amount owed. The corporation won a court case. The judge awarded the amount plus 10% interest. Is there a way that the corporation can collect this 10%?

Fred Bolotin,
Cleveland, OH

Rabbi Leff's response

265.

Kvod HaRav Shalom U'vracha,

I thank the Rav very much for taking the time to answer my questions. This one is a follow up to the Rav's answer to question 262. Allow me to say though, that I am by no means trying to be argumentative. I am simply trying to gain some insight into a sugiyah which I mull over very frequently, namely, the chiyuv of aliyah to Eretz Yisrael, and how to address those frum Jews who choose to live in the galut(especially America).

If I understand the Rav's answer in 262, in which he compares the P'tor(and subsequent need to "at least consider aliyah", and "ask a Rav") from living in Eretz Yisrael to that of a person who for health reason's must ask a Rav before fasting on Yom Kippur, or keeping Shabbat, then how does the Rav explain the fact that the vast majority of frum Jews keep Shabbat and fast on Yom Kippur, but the vast majority of frum American Jews do not EVER make aliyah. If the chiyuv and subsequent reasoning behind P'torim of the Mitzvot are similar(as understood from the Rav's answer in 262), then wouldn't we expect similar percentages of observance(or non-observance)? And isn't the fact that the opposite is true, and that there seems to be a great level of "shichahchat Tzion" amongst American frum Jews, my original question stands. Isn't it time that we Torah observant Jews of Eretz Yisrael demand the observance of the Mitzva of Yishuv eretz Yisrael from our brethren in the exile? How can we further condone the presence of hundreds of thousands of seemingly Torah observant Jews in America when the overwhelming majority are there without halachic sanction. After all, aren't the reasons for a Jew being in Chul are very clear? Aren't the frum Jews of America "over Mitzvat aseh" every day of their existence? And if so, doesn't it behoove us to tell them so? Kol Tuv.

With great respect and thanks for the Rav, and with Tefilot for Yeshuot V'Nechamot.

Akiva,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

264.

What are the guidelines for having a non Jewish live in maid / babysitter as far as kashrus is concerned ? Thanks!!

T. Nathan,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

263.

I have heard that if one is in the medical/health fields, (i.e. doctor, nurse etc...) there are no halachic issues regarding negiah, since the care they are providing is "professional." To what extent does this apply- as I know that I, as a woman nurse, as well as the other health care providers, are often met with very great and personal/private needs by patients in the hospital.

I thank the Rav very much for His time and attention.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

262.

Kvod HaRav, Shalom U'Vracha,
I have heard the Rav answer others regarding the Chiyuv of moving to Eretz Yisroel, that they should "at least consider it", and ask advice from a Rav regarding the matter. I have also read the Rav's chapter in "To dwell in the palace". Isn't that akin to telling a person "Before eating kosher or fasting on Yom Kippur, or keeping Shabbat, you should ask a Rav, or at the least seriously consider doing those things." ? If Yishuv Eretz Yisroel is a Mitzva D'Oreisa, upon which ALL other mitzvot are dependent, then isn't it about time we, Torah observant Jews in Eretz Yisroel spoke clearly about the matter, and adopt the attitude of Reish Lakish in Maseches Yoma, when he tells Rabba Bar Bar Channa "Elaha, Sanina Lahu", because, as the mefarshim bring down, if the Jews of the Galus would have returned in the time of Ezra, they would have brought the Shechina and the Geula with them(I have seen Rav Unterman ZTZ"L write" I change the language a bit, and say that if YOU, the Jews of today’s exile would have come back to Eretz Yisroel at the inception of the State of Israel, YOU would have brought the Shechinh with you)....How wonderfully different things here in Eretz Yisroel would be in we had another 100 or 200 thousand frum Jews.

I GREATLY thank the Rav for his attention, and wish him his family and Kehilla Besorot Tovot.

Akiva,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

261.

Why does the revelation, i.e. disclosure, of "Moshiach" have to occur in the physical land of Israel as some commentators have suggested?

Adam Neira,
Melbourne, Great Southern Land of Australia

Rabbi Leff's response

260.

I would like a translation of the kaddish prayer& a philosophical explanation of its importance.

Anonymous,
California

Rabbi Leff's response

259. I was wondering how to commemorate the upcoming yahrzeit of a young holocaust victim. He was my distant relative; nobody from his immediate family has survived so he probably never had kaddish said for him.

I decided to do something about it, so that it wouldn’t be forgotten that such person existed. Would you think that paying somebody to say kaddish for him or learn mishnayos would be a good idea? (they offer such services at www.yahrzeit.org)

Could I, as a woman, learn mishnayos on his yahrzeit myself? If not, what should I learn on this day if anything? Which prayers/psalms should I say? I would appreciate any ideas how to honor this day. Thank you very much.

Anonymous,
Lodz, Poland

Rabbi Leff's response

258.

Are we allowed to go to the gym during the 9 days?

Joseph,
United States

Rabbi Leff's response

257.

Shalom Aleichem. If one begins the Birchas Krias Shma prior to the end of Zman Tefilla, may he finish those brachos once zman tefilla has passed?

Yitzchak Shuster,
Forest Hills, NY


Rabbi Leff's response

256.

Why is there a small YUD in Pinchas? No one seems to discuss the issue. Its perfect Baal Haturim material yet he remains silent on the issue. Any insights?

Raphy Garson,
Israel

Rabbi Leff's response

255.

Someone I know had a problem last week. They have the custom of mourning on Erev Shabbat, parshat chukat, which I believe is due to the burning of 2 Sifrei Torah. They followed this custom in Israel and then flew to America where chukat was the following week. They were unsure if they needed to fast again. Thank you.

David,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

254.

A follow up to my onion question (241):
A sfardi relative was staying with us (ashkenazim) and she cuts part of the onion away. I noticed this after she had spent a significant amount of time with us. By that point, there was no way of identifying which dishes or utensils she had used. Does this cause any problem for me as far as needing to rekasher or throw out my dishes or can I rely on the sfardic opinion as a kula? Thank you again.

David,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

253.

May I inform someone via e-mail that there is a negative discussion about him on an internet message board? Is that rechilus? Or is it public enough to be considered be-apei telasa? Even if it is be-apei telasa, is that a heter in this case?

Anonymous,
Brooklyn

Rabbi Leff's response

252.

When daveining Shmona Esrei, when exactly are we supposed to say "Hashem sefasi tiftach oofi yagid tehillasecha"? before or after we take 3 steps forward?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

251.

Shalom Aleichem, Is there any svorah to say that kol isha does NOT apply to goyish women singing?

Yitzchok Schuster,
Forest Hills, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

250.

I am doing a science report on genetic engineering in food (that is where they insert pieces of DNA from different species into a plant or animal's DNA in order to produce an organism with traits it does not naturally have). Is this Halachically permissible, or is it considered kilayim?

Tova,
Chicago

Rabbi Leff's response

249.

During the week I daven mincha by a shul that davens 5 minutes before shkia and then says tehillim for a few minutes and then davens maariv. During this time there is a lot of talking going on and the rabbi has to keep stopping and telling people to be quiet. There are also people that are learning very loud. Can I tell the people who are learning to be quiet or can I not say anything because they are learning? Thank you Rabbi Leff.

Zev,
Lakewood, NJ

Rabbi Leff's response

248.

I've learned recently about the concept of M'Tamtem HaLev, and how careful we have to be about insects in our salads etc.. My question - if you go into a kosher restaurant, supervised by a reliable vaad hakashrus, can you eat the salads etc... freely without losing sleep over insects? It is my understanding from a recent shiur that if I go into a pizza shop and get a broccoli slice, even if the place is checked by the mashgiach, that a bug in the slice, eaten inadvertently, will cause M'Tamtem HaLev. Also, I've heard from a maggid shiur that we can't eat broccoli and cauliflower today, that's its nearly impossible to remove bugs from it - is this accurate?

Zev,
Woodmere, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

247.

Do you think that when Mount Vesuvius erupted in the year 79ce and destroyed a few towns in Italy was part of punishement for the Romans destroying the Bais Hamikdosh? The town that it destroyed was popular with the Romans.

Zevi,
New Jersey

Rabbi Leff's response

246.

If a couple have two boys and therefore need to have a girl to fulfill the mitzva of “peria u’revia” (to be fruitful and multiply), should the husband not say the usual tefiloas HaRamban which mentions that they should be blessed with male children? Should he rather say his own tefilos asking for a girl? Also, if the children they already have have some developmental problems, are there any special tefilos or Tehillim that are appropriate to request that their future offspring don’t have these problems?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

245.

Is it ever permissible to attend a reform shul? My fiancé and I are both ba'alei teshuvah and her grandparents insist that we attend a Friday night service at their reform temple (which is out of town from where we live). Assuming that no melachos are violated and there is no active participation in the service by us is it permissible for us to stand in the sanctuary for the sake of shalom bayis? Her grandparents would be highly offended if we did not attend, and I want to not start off new family relationships on the wrong foot. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, and take care.

Paul,
Chicago

Rabbi Leff's response

244.

We are a group of workers at a health care institution in Yerushalayim (Sephardim, Ashkenazim, Yemenites etc...). When we daven Mincha at work (at 2:30 pm in the summer)we don't have time for a full chazarat ha'shatz, so the shliach tzibur starts shmoneh esray out loud until after kedusha. How should the tzibur behave? At the moment, the Ashkenazim wait until after the kedusha to start their shmoneh esray, while the Sephardim start with the shaliach tzibur and do not answer amen to the brachot(so it turns out that there is not a minyan answering amen). I thank the Rav very much.

The staff of a workplace in Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

243.

After returning from an inspiring year in Eretz Yisrael, what can i do to hold onto all the inspirations I had. Also, how do I hold onto the special Kedusha and connection to Hashem and spirituality that i felt now back in America where everything is so materialistic and imoral? i already feel that that I am beginning to fall back into the quicksand and that i have lost certain sensitivities I had there. What can I do?

Anonymous,
Chicago

I just came back from a year in Israel where I learnt a lot. How do I keep this up? Also I davened twice a day in Israel as the seminary provided us time. I now find myself always in a rush, how do I overcome this? I want to daven twice a day. Thank you

Anonymous,
London

Rabbi Leff's response

242.

There is a lot of talk about the Christians censoring 166 years of the Jewish calendar that means we only have 71 years left till Mosiach is that true?

Anonymous,
Brooklyn

Rabbi Leff's response

241.

When cutting an onion with a particular knife (i.e. meat or milk), does the entire onion take on the status of the knife or can you use the other half of the onion for the opposite food by cutting off the part that touched the first knife? I did not learn this in depth, but I did see in Yorah Deah 96:1 that it seems this is a possibility. However, I am not sure if we hold this way. Also are there any other foods besides onion, garlic and hot peppers that fall into this category that may not be obvious? Additionally, please explain if there is a difference between Ashkenazim and Sfardim in this halacha? Thank you.

David,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

240.

Does Christianity fall under the category of avodah zara (idol worhip)? Is a decent but believing Christian to be considered a nochri or a ben Noach?

Anonymous,
Boston, MA

Rabbi Leff's response

239. During Shabbos morning can I eat breakfast prior to the Kiddusha Rabba?

Secondly, during Shabbos can I brush my teeth using a tooth brush, if this is not permitted, can you advise me how I could clean my teeth during Shabbos?

Michelle,
London

Rabbi Leff's response

238. Hello and G-d bless you,

I’m not Jewish, but I am trying to understand the Jewish faith as best I can. Recently, I was speaking to a Roman Catholic who claims their doctrine of purgatory, as they understand it, is also believed in Judaism as well. I’ve done some research and found very limited passages in the Talmud regarding a purgatorial state, yet I’m not sure if the Roman Catholic view and the Jewish view truly do agree. Roman Catholicism teaches that those that die with mortal sin will go into eternal punishment (Hell, Gehenna); those who die with lesser sins (venial) will go to purgatory where they will suffer indefinitely until they are purified from the stains of sin; finally, those who die in a state of grace will go to heaven.

They also claim that the Kaddish is an example of prayer for the dead, but from what I understand, it isn’t a prayer for the dead, but rather, the Kaddish is a prayer acknowledging G-d’s sovereignty and has more to do with the mourner than for the deceased. From what I understand regarding the Jewish view, there is no clear definition of hell, but there is no such thing as eternal punishment. All will spend some time in a purgatory, but the most one can spend there is 12 months and that would be for the most evil of people. With that in mind, what about a Hitler or a Stalin? Would evil people this be guaranteed heaven after going through purgatory? Is purgatory like the Catholic version where one suffers until they are purged from sin? Or is it something else entirely? Also, how do the Rabbis interpret it? It seems that the school of Shammai believed that there will be three groups on Judgment Day; the wicked, the righteous, and those in-between but the school of Hillel seemed not to believe in purgatory, saying that, He who is Master of grace tends towards grace (Babylonian Talmud, Rosh HaShanah 16b-17a). And what of the roots of the purgatorial belief? According to the Jewish Encyclopedia, Kaufman Kohler claims that the idea came from Zend-Avesta (Zoroastrian scripture). Was this belief in purgatory an influence on Judaism or is the belief Torah-based?

I know that these are many questions to answer, but like I stated earlier, I really am trying to understand. Shalom.


Anonymoys,
Illinois

Rabbi Leff's response

237.

When in history were the Jewish Holy Scriptures considered complete and closed?

Calvin Wolfe,
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Rabbi Leff's response

236. In response to question #229

Why does the Chabad believe the Rebbe is the Moshiach, can the Moshiach come from one who already came and died?
G-d bless you.

I agree with the Rav that the Lubavitcher Rebbe can't be Moshiach but the
Lubavitchers claim or at least it seems that most of them claim that the
Rebbe never died. What does the Rav say to this? How do you explain it?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

235.

Thank you for the answer to my question on Eliyahu HaNavi.
Why is it that goyim do not listen to the 7 laws HaShem gave Noach?
Thank you.

Noach Eliezer Strassberg,
Monsey, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

234.

Chabad Chassidim claim that each Jew has two souls - the animal soul and the G-dly soul. The non-Jews, on the other hand, only have animal souls which come from impure source and "contain no good whatsoever" (Tanya, end of chapter 1). Accordingly, "all the charity and kindness done by the nations of the world is only for their self-glorification".

What is the opinion of mainstream orthodoxy regarding such a statement? Do souls of Jews and non-Jews differ?

Anonymous,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

233.

Can A Cohen be replaced by an Israel for the second Aliya if there is no Levi.

Joey Cohen,
Miami

Rabbi Leff's response

232.

When a the Rabbi of a Shul goes up to make his speech, do we have to stand up for him? Is it a Halacha (law) or a Minhag (traadition)?

Joey Cohen,
Miami

Rabbi Leff's response

231.

Since one of the Seven Noachide Laws is the prohibition against worshipping idols, does that mean that hundreds of millions of people who subscribe to Far Eastern and tribal religions that worship idols, who are otherwise decent people, are really reshaim? And even if one has bechira to change his ways, how is it rational to expect millions of people to suddenly abandon idol worship and believe in Hakadosh Baruch Hu?

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

230. I live on a frum settlement. An Anglo-Saxon Baale Teshuvah family recently brought two non-Jewish boys (age 9 and 14) to live with them. The purpose is as I understand, is NOT to convert them, but to teach them to become Bnei Noach.

The boys do not have any semblance of Jewish behavior, dress etc..., or show any respect for the frum nature of the settlement(for example, they ride skateboards by the entrance to the shul on Shabbat).Talking to the family who brought them to the settlement falls on deaf ears, and causes anger on their part.

The Mara D'Atra has expressed his halachic opinion that the children must leave, but the settlement is in a legal bind, and cannot force the family to send these boys away.
What do we parents, who are concerned about the effect these boys could have on our children do? How vociferous should we be in our complaint? How do we avoid Lashon Hara about the family who brought these boys here?

Thanks very much to the Rav for taking time to help.

Akiva,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

229. Why has not the Moshiach arrived? I am a believing gentile and have studied on the net with orthodox Jewish sites. I follow the 7 laws of Noah, my husband is still a staunch Hindu, but my two sons follow me, and we cannot be open in our faith here. Jews are not accepted where I live.

What can Noahides do to help bring the Moshiach soon?

Why does the Chabad believe the Rebbe is the Moshiach, can the Moshiach come from one who already came and died?

G-d bless you.

Anonymous,
Malaysia

Rabbi Leff's response

228.

Is it permissible to use a non-digital thermometer on Shabbos, i.e. for meat to make sure it is properly cooked? This is a point of argument in my study group.

Michael Tucker,
Belaire, TX

Rabbi Leff's response

227.

We are supposed to eagerly await the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash and bringing sacrifices. But to me, it all seems so bloody and gory. How can I get into the right frame of mind to look forward to the day when we can finally bring animals to the Temple to sacrifice?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

226.

I was thinking of joining a class that teaches Kabbala (mysticism) and was all excited about it. But a friend of mine who I told about it said to me that one shouldn't learn Kabbala until they learn other things as well. Could you please tell me why this is so, and what other things I need to learn before I learn Kabbala? Thank you.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

225.

How is it that so many frum Jews, amongst them many Rabbanim as well as Gedolim, seem to make no serious effort at any point in their lives to settle in Eretz Yisrael despite its being a mitzva and its being a means to perform mitzvos hatluyos ba'aretz and especially in light of the Ramban's famous view on the matter of yishuv Eretz Yisrael? Would one not expect yere shamayim who are medakdek in so many mitvos, to be medakdek in the mitzva of yishuv Eretz Yisrael as well?

Yisrael Kaniel,
Beit Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

224.

Does Eliyahu HaNavi still visit people in this world?

Noach Eliezer Strassberg,
Monsey, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

223.

I would like to ask the Rav if it is preferable to daven in an Ashkenazi shul(I am Ashkenazi) where there is talking, or to daven in a Sephardi shul where there is no talking, but the minhag is VERY different for me(and my children, who when with me in the Sephardi shul fail to learn the Ashkenazi minhag and nussach I want them to know). I need to stress, that seeing others talking in shul causes me GREAT discomfort.Also, I live in a community where my choice of shuls is limited. Either Ashkenazi with talking, or Sephardi (edot mizrach) with no talking. Thats it.During the week, I travel to another city to shtiebelach where they are makpid on kedushat bet knesset, but Shabbat I am stuck in my community. Kol Tuv.

Akiva,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

222.

I am in 12th grade and am doing a paper on Mechiras Yosef. I've been reading the Meforshim inside the Chumash, but two of my bigger questions haven't been answered so clearly.

1) If the brothers were such tzadikim how could they want to kill one of their own brothers? I know they hated and were jealous of Yosef, but killing, even sellig him, seems a bit drastic and they knew what pain it would cause their father.

2) Did the brothers have Bechira in selling Yosef, or did Hashem cause it to happen because he needed Yaackov and his family to end up in Mitzrayim? I know this question is a little complicated and of course everyone has Bechira, but I'm not so clear about it. Maybe you can bring me some sources I can look up to prove this point. Thank you.

Alexandra,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

Also, see: http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/parsha/leff/archives/vayeish.htm

221.

What is the specific issur for a man to pluck out hairs from his beard?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

220.

Are there opinions permitting the use of can openers and vegetable peelers on Shabbat? In Israel, I know of many shomer-Shabbat people who would use scissors to open bags of milk. Outside of Israel, no one has seemed to have heard of this. Is there a difference between the scissors and the peeler/opener? Thank you.

David,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

219.

How is one allowed to halachically acquire a credit card from a jewishly owned company or borrow money from an Israeli bank or buy Israel bonds when all of these may involve a payment of interest. Thank you.

David,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

218. Are you permitted to cook from fresh produce, ie vegetables on yom tov?

If it is not permitted, how do I go about preparing food for Yom Tov during or before, in terms of keeping the food warm?

Michelle,
London

Rabbi Leff's response

217.

In the news this Friday, there were 2 fires in the North of Israel. I know that barring a danger to life, one is not to directly extinguish a fire on Shabbat. However, what is the responsibility of the state in this regard? If the fire cannot be extinguished before Shabbat and there is enough time to tell people to evacuate before Shabbat, are they allowed to continue fighting the fire on Shabbat? Does it matter if the fire is near a Jewish neighborhood, a non-Jewish neighborhood, or in the middle of an uninhabited area? In general, what are the halachic guidelines of a Jewish state with regards to keeping Shabbat as compared to a Jewish individual? Thank you.

David,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

216.

Q. What are the opinions of Orthodox rabbis on the study of Abraham Joshua Heschel's works? I've read many opinions, and they imply he really grappled with Judaism and came out ahead- indeed, Orthodox. I understand there was a machlokes over one of his works, but this must leave room for other works to be read and gained from. Thank you Rabbi Leff.

Kate,
Oregon

Rabbi Leff's response

215.

Q. Regarding the mitzvah of veohavto lereecho komocho which lit. means you should love TO your friend as yourself wouldn’t the word es be more appropriate?

 

Rabbi Leff's response

214.

Q. Why don’t Jewish men wear jewelry?

Yehuda,
Monsey, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

213.

Q. In his drasha for parshas Kedoshim/Rosh Chodesh, the Rav quoted the Michtav MiEliahuRav saying that Hashem takes away the chachamim because we keep the mitzvos by rote, relying on the chachamim; "They know. They'll tell me what to do and I'll just do it", and when the chachamim aren't here, we have to think about what we're doing. We can't just say, "they said to do it, so I'll do it.". We have to learn it ourselves, as well.

I realize that our lives goal is to learn d'var Hashem, that the only way we will know how to live is to learn Torah. However, speaking for myself, I know I'll never reach the level of a gadol B'Torah. I know that I don't have what it takes to be able to learn Shas and poskim and learn how to posken shylas for myself and for my family. I personally lack self-confidence, not only because I haven't learned alot of Torah, but even in the things that I do "know". I would feel much safer relying on someone endowed with greater chochma and that has spent his life learning to tell me what to do than to "figure it out" myself and hope I got it right. Even when I learn a relatively simple sefer like "Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchasa", my mind reels, and I can't seem to figure out what the halacha is, because whatever it says, there's always something more ("...but we hold differently", "...our minhag is not like that..." halachas I learned in yeshiva directly contradict halachas I've learned from the Rav).

One of the many things I've learned and hopefully internalized from the Rav is emunas chachamim. So where does this come in? On the one hand, we are taught to listen to the gedolim, and follow their direction. But on the other hand, the Rav seems to be saying here that we should rather learn ourselves so we can poskin our own shylas and not have to rely on the chachamim. How am I supposed to view this situation?

Thank you.

Anonymous,
Eretz Yisrael

 

Rabbi Leff's response

212.

Q. I they have just started to sell chicken & turkey - meat in our local Kosher store under the hashkoche of Rav A. D. Auerbach of Tiberias, Eretz Yisrael.... We normally only have meats with the hashkoche of Rav Segbach Strassbourg now I just wanted to know if you know anything about Rav A. D. Auerbach & if it is a Reliable Hashkocho

Thank you for your time.

David Sasson,
Copenhagen, Denmark

Rabbi Leff's response

211.

Q. How tall should a Mechitsa be? And are you allowed to decorate the synagogue with plants? Can a Mechalel Shabbat read the Haftara himself if he asks to.

Thank you very much

Joey Cohen,
Miami

Rabbi Leff's response

210.

Q. Obviously we don't do this today but I was wondering if you could explain me how the great Rabbi's underwent fasts for 40days straight. Would they stop for a simcha (as you should eat at a simcha) to eat or would they never make any breaks? Did they could Shabbos as a day even though they couldn't fast on it or would their fast not count Shabbos and therefore take several months?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

209.

Q. There are some Jews (including Rabbis)going around and saying that every (Jewish only?) soul ('neshomo') is a 'cheilek Elokah mimaal' - which they claim means literally 'a piece of G-d from above'.

May one believe such a thing ? It seems like Christianity or some other non-Jewish way to believe that. From what I know, according to Judaism, a man cannot be G-d and G-d is one (echad yochid umeyuchad), with no 'pieces'. Rather, the neshomo is something created by Hashem (as we say in 'Elokai Neshomo...' - ata viroso - You Hashem created it)- chatzuva mitachas kisei hakovod perhaps - from a lofty place - but not a 'piece of Hashem' (chas vesholom). They also claim that the Zohar says that 'man dinafach, midilei nafach'- but I think that doesn't support them, because someone who blows (think of a glass or balloon blower) blows just air from within his lungs - and not his actual body / essence.

How is such a dangerous idea allowed to pass without any opposition - especially from Rabbanim?

Anonymous,
U.S.A.

Rabbi Leff's response

208.

During conversations, I often hear other people speaking negatively about well known Jewish figures. To exempt themselves from the issur of lashon hara, they say that the person's deeds are well known, or even that the person is an official rasha, so it's a "mitzva" to speak negatively about him. But I would like to know, just because one rav or godol declared a person as a rasha, is that a heter to speak unlimited bad things about that person - especially if other rabbonim don't think of him as a rasha and if I anyway have nothing to do with that person?

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

207. I have friends to went to a well known Mekubal, who told them, without knowing anything about us, that he should not make Aliyah right now as, his family would
collapse without him.

My questions are as follow:

I was under the impression that a navi who was less then the at the level of the avot could not communicate with H'K'B outside of E.Y.? if this is true then how does someone in Brooklyn get a divine vibe that is strong enough to direct someone's life? Also, what happens when a mekubal who does not know a person gives advice that contradicts that person's Rav that does know him and therefore can give him a proper p'sak?

Michael,
Monsey, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

206.

When my7 year old son goes to shul with me, his davening is at a slow pace. When the Shliach Tzibur is at Ga'al Yisrael or V'al Yerushalayim, he is just finishing Kriat Shema. To make him feel better about davening, I think that it is important for him to daven Shemona Esrey with me....So the question is, should I daven with the Tsibur right away and Lasmich Geula to Tefilla, or wait a minute for him to finish Kriat Shema and start Shemona Esrey with him?

Akiva,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

205.

I think there are two posukim in shas that speak about not walking more then 4 amos without learning Torah (or wearing tefillin) I think the Rabbi was Rav Yochonon. Does the Rav possibly recall the location of these (or one) posukim in shas?

Moshe,
Tzfat

Rabbi Leff's response

204. Q. In Question 72, the Rav answered that girls should be dressed according to the Halachos of Tznius from age three, according to opinion that the Bi'ur Halachah brings down, even though we are normally lenient like the Chazon Ish. However, I was under the impression that the Chazon Ish said his Psak with regards to this very Bi'ur Halachah, as is found in Sefer Chazon Ish, Hilchos Brachos, Siman Tes-Vav.

Also, Tosfos in Sotah says that while one is using his own voice, he cannot hear another person's voice according to Halachah, for example to answer Amen to a Brachah while he is davening at the same time. Does this apply even while one is reading quiet enough that he cannot even hear himself?

I have also heard that an Eitzah when one finds himself in a situation involving Kol Isha is to sing along or make another noise to himself, and to make his voice louder. Could it be that according to this Tosfos, one does not have to be louder than the Kol Isha, but just audible to himself?

Baruch Tzvi,
Yerushalayim

Rabbi Leff's response

203.

Q. In Samuel 1 Chapter 10 Verse 6, Samuel gives Saul the last of the three signs which prove to Saul that he is the next king. The last sign is that Saul will prophesy and become a new man. The Malbim says that Saul will change physically and spiritually. How exactly did Saul change physically?

Ellie Shimanovich,
Baltimore, MD

Rabbi Leff's response

202.

Q. As a woman who became da'atiah as a child, I have always had uncomfortable family relations. To this day, many of my relatives do not acknowledge my existence. Matters have not been helped by my fractious mother, who alienated her siblings, neighbors, employees and other acquaintances over the years over various unkind emotional outbursts and betrayals of confidences. The only happy family relationships I have are with my son, an aunt and uncle I'm fond of, and my "sister." I have two related shailot:

My mother "pulled the plug" on her dying sister many years ago, after protracted talks with me and other people about the halachot against doing so. She remains proud of what she's done and it has been a sore point in family relations ever after. I am close with an aunt & uncle who never speak to her over her failure to to be kind to them. Additionally, my child grew up a ben yachid as I was an agunah. His father deserted us on the day he was born and we suffered years of poverty and harassment from him as a result, even after I purchased the "get." Now that I live in Israel while my son completes college in the USA, my mother has repeatedly pleaded her case with him (in my absence) that I abandoned him like his father, and that he can abandon Judaism, and me, over my phoniness. He is already on the brink of leaving Judaism over the pains he suffered at seeing me maligned and mistreated by his father and rabbanim all his life. My father is niftar and he suffered from my mother's acid tongue terribly. I only continued a relationship with her (it is always a struggle) at my son's request to have some semblance of family ties. Am I allowed by halacha to sever the relationship with my mother? I have been afraid of her since she killed her sister. I have spent a lifetime listening to a litany of other people's complaints about her behavior, she shuns therapy, and there is no hope for her improvement. Now she is shattering my only loving family relationship in her effort to seem superior to someone else (her constant problem). Worse, she is doing it with my son, who begged me to continue the relationship with her in the first place when he was little!

My mother and father adopted an infant girl before I was born. She had gentile parents and has never observed the tenets of Judaism other than paper plates for Passover and lighting Shabbat candles a few times. Her daughter is about to be married to the son of a reform "rabbi." Are the daughter or the mother considered Jewish (your response will determine my level of participation - or lack of it - in the "simcha") and am I allowed al pi halacha to particpate in the marriage celebration at all? Various rabbanim have differed over the issue of my "sister's" Jewishness over the years, with no clearcut resolution. If I choose not to celebrate the forthcoming "marriage" I risk invoking further family wrath over my Orthodoxy. I am fond of my "sister" and Jewish husband, but I am not willing to participate in a sham of Jewishness. I wonder if the groom is Jewish, considering his "yichus" and the whole issue perplexes me with related issues and questions. Perhaps neither one is a Jew and the whole ceremony with allegedly Jewish content will be a waste.

What is the Rav's response to my shailot?

Rabbi Leff's response

201.

Q. Why is it that with regards to keeping 1 or 2 days Yom Tov, it depends on where the person lives and not on where he is celebrating Yom Tov. I.e. everyone in Israel would keep one day no matter where he usually lives, and vice versa?

Y. Gershon,
Manchester, UK

Rabbi Leff's response

200.

Q. Is one obligated to keep his tzizis out or is he allowed to keep them in because that's the accepted minhag in his family?

Anonymous,
Australia

Rabbi Leff's response

199. Q. Are house pets considered 'muktzeh' on Shabbat? And if so, what does that mean? Can we still pick them up or pet them? Thank you.

Anonymous
Rabbi Leff's response
198.

Q. Is a Jewish man allowed to color his hair to take out the grey?

Rabbi Leff's response

197.

Q. I have a couple of questions regarding a person's *second* marriage: a)I've heard that it is not proper to have a large wedding for a second marriage. Is this true? b) That the bride cannot wear a white gown, but should wear a suit or something similar? c) That the couple's children from their first marriages are not allowed to attend their wedding?
Thank you.

Anonymous,

Rabbi Leff's response

196.

Q. Does the mitzva of tzedaka, or indeed any mitzva, have monetary value? Should we be ashamed to give a few paltry cents to someone collcting tzedaka for fear of them refusing and/or throwing back the money? Or should one keep the money and not bother?

Adrian Kelaty,
Beit Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

195.

Q. How many gods did the Jews believe in before during and after Jesus. Does the Torah contain evidence of a trinity of gods.

Anonymous,
Holden, MO

Rabbi Leff's response

194.

Q. Dear Rabbi Leff. If I’m sitting in shul, or in a beis midrash learning, and I need to blow my nose, and there are no tissues or toilet paper in the lavatory, and I see a package of tissues lying around, would it be considered stealing to take a tissue, or do we assume that people don’t mind?

Anonymous,
Israel

Rabbi Leff's response

193.

Q. Approximately 2000 years ago was Passover eaten at the home on the evening of the 14th, and then the temple service was conducted on the evening of the 15th? Please advise.

William Sanford,
USA

Rabbi Leff's response

192.

Q. I attend a Bais Yaakov High School, and have been taught there that Yom Haatzmaut should not be celebrated. I've always wondered why this is so. What is the reason that the Gedolim give for this? At home my family certainly acknowledge the day and do go to celebrations. so I've always been interested in the reason behind my school's opinion. Thank You.

Tamar,
Toronto

Rabbi Leff's response

191.

Q. This is a follow-up to question 171. Why is it that we prefer employing Jews over non-Jews (in the case that they do equal work for equal wages)? How can this be justified, for example, to a non-Jew accusing Jews of favoritism?

Anonymous,
Canada

Rabbi Leff's response

190.

Q. Regarding the previous question that I asked (175), would it make a difference if I was conspicuously absent from the ceremony and arrived noticeably late just to the party afterwards, and I make it clear to anyone who asks that I wish my cousin a long and happy life, but I chose to be late because I cannot condone it" Thank you again.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

189. Q. We will be having company for Pesach. They will be staying in an uninhabited apartment, owned by neighbors, that is used throughout the year for guests.

They will be eating all their meals by us and will not need to cook there, but I assume they will want to use the refrigerator there.

What is our responsibility in regards to cleaning and doing a bedika in this apartment. Thank you.

David,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

188. Q. Could the Rav please discuss the issue of one-day yom Tov in chul.
Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook (as quoted in Am KeLavi) states conditions which would allow someone to keep one day yom tov in chul. However, he says, even for a mitzvah and in private, one is not allowed to do melacha on the 2nd day.
In other words, on the 2nd day, derabbanan mitzvot (tefilla) are kept as in israel and d'orita mitzvot are kept as in chul. I have spoken with several rabbanim on this issue and they all told me, in agreement with Rav Tzvi Yehuda, that there is no halachic permission to do melacha on the second day.

However, recently, I found certain Rabbanim who feel that in chul, it is okay to do melacha on the second day. I believe this is based on a RaMA.

When I asked the other Rabbanim about this, they said that this is an opinion which we do not hold by.

Rav Leff, I realize you may not agree with the idea of keeping "one-day" in any way at all in chul, and I would be interested in your opinion about an Israeli keeping one-day in chul in general. But I would also like you to relate to this issue of keeping "one-day" as opposed to the so-called "1 1/2 day". Is there really any halachic basis to keep a literal one-dayand do melacha on the second day of yom tov in chul? Thank you.

David,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

187.

Q. I recently read one of your Torot (on Chanuka) that quoted the Shlah. You explained that the Chasmonayim made the mistake of thinking they were in messianic times where the spiritual would rule over the physical and therefore as Kohanim as well as descendents of David they had the right to the Monarchy. Does this mean that Mashiach can be a Kohen?

Anonymous,
Yerushalayim

Rabbi Leff's response

186.

Q. I had just finished my sandwich at work when we had a fire drill. After how much time outside, would I no longer be allowed to bentsch? Would I be allowed to bentsch outside (if I had taken a benstcher with me) in this case even if I had no intention of bentsching somewhere else? If I was allowed to bentsch outside, would I be obligated to? We have to stand together and none of my coworkers are even Jewish so I would feel a little bit awkward. Thank you.

David,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

185.

Q. I begin to read SHIR HASHIRIM but I can not understand a few statements. Please help me. Please send to me the description of 2:7 to 2:10 of this.
It is importent for me beacause I like SHIR HASHIRIM.

Thank you

anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

184.

Q. What is the source for the minhag to round the luchos at the top? Where is the letter from the Steipler to be found that says one should square them instead.

Thank you

Yehonason Goldman,
Gateshead U.K.

Rabbi Leff's response

183.

Q. Are the Arabs in Israel today the actual descendants of Yishmael? If so, how does Mohamed connect to Yishmael? Another question, did the Jewish women in the biblical times cover their faces like some of the Arab women do today?

Thank you

anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

182.

Q. Is it an "ayin hara" to use restrooms made for the handicapped and elderly?


Thank you

 

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Eretz Yisroel

Rabbi Leff's response

181.

Q. Shalom! My family is Katz. I'm 36 years old. My girlfriend is jewish but she is divorced. How can I married with her?

Thank you

anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

180.

Q. Recently, Hareidi rabbinic leaders publicized harsh words concerning a editor of a particular newspaper / periodical in Bnei Brak. Similarly, at times, an announcement is published to not patronize a given store for a given reason. How does this jibe with the concept of Al Yalbin pnei haveiro be'rabim? I have heard even frum Jews say that publicizing someone's name or business in such a fashion is wrong and uncalled for. Please clarify.

Thank you

Zelig Kane,
Bet Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

179.

Q. I am 55 and been observant for 15 years. Throughout that time I have tried and failed numerous times to put on tefellin and daven shachris on a continuous basis. I am observant about most other matters but I am a very undisciplined person and never able to sustain shachris and tefellin and it bothers me tremendously. My problem is that I am a night person and NOT a morning person. At night I feel the urge all the time to put on my tallis and tefellin but by morning there is no will power to do so. So my question is whether there are any circumstances where it is permissible to don tallis and tefellin at night other than if I were getting up at that point to start my day. I no this sounds ridiculous but no matter how well intentioned I am I just won't do it in the morning.

Thank you

Alan,
Newton, MA

Rabbi Leff's response

178.

Q. We hosted an Israeli Merchants' Fair in our shul, where tens of Israelis come to a community to sell their wares. Ours was held on Saturday night and Sunday and the merchants needed to be hosted by the community for Shabbat. Several of them specifically requested to be with non-shomer Shabbat families. Are we allowed to fulfill their request knowing that by doing so, we are, in a sense, encouraging, or at least turning a blind eye, to chilul Shabbat and also preventing whatever shmirat shabbat they would have done, had they been placed in a shomer-shabbat household?

Thank you,

Brian

Rabbi Leff's response

177.

Q. Is there a halacha or "inyan" not to kiss or hug one's child of the opposite gender after a certain age? If yes, what is the source?

Thank you

Yisrael Kaniel,
Bet Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

176.

Q. Many of the preteens in my shul need some chizuk. For whatever reasons, they are not getting this from their homes or schools. Their families are not anti-, but it just isnt happening.

I wanted to start running a separate Shabbat dovening for these kids so they will have something else to do besides sitting in the social hall and chatting.
I have several questions regarding this issue.

First of all, which part of dovening would you suggest to focus on?

Secondly, we only have one minyan. For this purpose, would it be okay for me to miss minyan (I'm also usually the only Kohen in shul) or part of it?

And thirdly, for chinuch reasons, would it be acceptable to have aliyot in this minyan similar to the aliyot on Monday and Thursday? And could a pre-Bar-Mitzvah read from the Torah in this setting? I would also appreciate if you could give me some sources (if it is okay for pre-Bar Mitzvahs to get aliyot and lain).
We do not have many kids in our shul and this minyan would be for kids from fourth or fifth grade thru Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Thank you,
anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

175.

Q. My cousin is intending on marrying a gentile. Normally, I would not even consider attending, but I am very close to my aunt and uncle and they will be very hurt if I do not attend. In addition, my uncle has a very negative attitude towards orthodox jews and not to attend would make him more bitter. What does the Rav feel I should do.

Thank you
anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

174.

Q. There is some controversy here in the states as to how the Torah Community should view Illan Ramon Z'L. Some say that since he was mekadesh shem shamayim berabim, and also saved countless lives, he should be viewed as a hero and we can learn from his actions. Others argue that to call him a hero sends a bad message since he was not a Shomer Torah Umitsvos. How should a Torah Jew approach this issue?

Thank you
anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

173.

Q. Where do you find kelev kosheh lashikcha (causes one to forget one's learning)?

Thank you,

anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

172.

Q. Why does it seem that on simchas torah halochos and mihagim we follow seem to be slackened? For example clapping to the tunes, boys under bar mitzvah. being called to the torah, etc.?

Thank you

Chaim Jacobs,
Moshav Mattityahu

Rabbi Leff's response

171.

Q. Please could you clarify for me the Halacha regarding employing Arabs in public areas.

According to the polls, over 80% of palestinian Arabs support the killing of Jews and most if not the the terrorist attacks inside Israel have been aided by Israeli Arabs. Can we take a chance and assume that a particular Arab is not a danger. Even if he is against attacking Jews what is stopping the terrorists demanding from him information as to when is the busiest time when Jews are at is place of work or in his area. It seems a real risk employing any Arab today.

Another aspect is that I have seen on many occasions Arabs in supermarkets talking ot religious Jewish girls and joking with them. Surely this is not allowed and what do the Gedolim say about it?

Thank you

Eliyahu Levine,
Bet Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

170.

Q. In Parshas Terumah, is it possible that the "yud" that was taken from the
"nesiem" was put by the "menorah" in the word "ta'asah", since that was the
one vessel made completly by Hashem showing that hashem doesn't need a
mishkon, rather it is for us?

Thank you.
anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

169.

Q. I am writing an essay and would like help on this question:

"What is it that Jews of all degrees of religious observance have in common that binds us together?"

Thank you

Sarah Donowitz,
Atlanta, Georgia

Rabbi Leff's response

168.

Q. There are many different minhagim and kabbalistic rituals practiced in different communities and groups. If one is in need of something important (parnassah, children, shidduch, etc.), is it recommended to adopt one of these customs on oneself as an extra z'chus, and is there any guidelines as to which minhagim are authentic and which ones are completely bogus and inappropriate?

Thank you.

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

167.

Q. Shalom Rabbi, I write in order to make some questions to you. I excuse for the trouble.

I am an Orthodox Jew. I am from Italy. I do not speak English well... Hebrew is better (I prefer to speak Hebrew)!

I am making a research on Chassidut. But, I need some information about Abraham Joshua Heschel. I have read the greater works written from Heschel ("Man is not Alone", "The Shabbath", "God in Search of Man", "Man's quest for God", "The Earth Is the Lord's: The Inner World of the Jew in Eastern Europe - A Hasidism", "The Circle of the Baal Shem Tov: Studies in Hasidism") and I am not successful to understand where Heschel goes outside from the Orthodox Judaism. Heschel explain the Orthodox Judaism and especially the Chassidut with the words of the "philosophy".
All the great Chassidim Rabbis are the ancestors of Heschel and in his family there are great Orthodox Rabbis. In Heschel life he has maintained the observance of the Mitzvot and Halachah.

I do not understand in order which reason Heschel has gone to teach at the Jewish Theological Seminary (Conservative). and not (for example) at the Yeshiva University (Orthodox)?

The question is: Which is the opinion of the most important Orthodox Rabbis about Abraham Joshua Heschel?

Thank you

Mordechay Sciunnach,
Italy

Rabbi Leff's response

166.

Q. What is the Halacha about a Torah scoll dropping on the floor. The Eits Hayim touched the floor, and the Torah mantle was partially disturbed. What is the responsibility of the cong, the Rabbi and the Cantor? The Torah fell off a shelf where it is always placed during the Haftarah. The Torah fell about two minutes after the Sefer had been placed on the shelf.

Thank you

Hazzan David Tilman,
Elkins Park, Penn

Rabbi Leff's response

165.

Q. One of my Professors who is prone to making bold generalized statements, said that the Talmud tells a father to punish his son for sinning even if the punishment causes death. I immeadiately challenged him to show where the talmud says this. Of course he was not able to do that so he appologized, and said he would try to find out the source.

I am afraid that he may come back with the Mishna in Maccos. The Mishna says that a father/ teacher who punishes a child/ student and that student dies is not Chayav Galus, since punishment is a required act not voluntary, and we only punish people for voluntary acts.

This is certainly not what he claimed it to be. However how should I respond if he claims that I am spliting hairs, or if he says any punishment that results in death is beyond a small poch or something that may be within the accepted range of physical punishment. I also am wondering if I should even get involved in such a discussion since it may be considered teaching torah to a non - jew.
On the other hand the Chillul Hashem that could result from him saying this to all of his classes may be too much to risk.

Thank you

Menachem Hojda,
Oak Park, Michigan

Rabbi Leff's response

164.

Q. Shalom Rabbi After the tradical event of the explosion of the colombia space ship last saturday. I spoke with my friend and he said that there is strict Hallachic rulings in the doing of space travel, something about praying all the time becurse of the moving of the planets and the sun and so on. Is that correct or could you tell me about thoose rulings?

Thank you

Johan,
Sweden

Rabbi Leff's response

163.

Q.I came across a letter of yours in which you outline the Halachic reasons for living in Eretz Yisrael.

I am seeking to return to Israel, I lived in a very troubled neighborhood (Pardess Katz in Bnei Brak) for many years, making Aliyah with my family in 1970. In 1992, after physical and emotional traumas, I decided to return to the States with my son and to gain some insight into healing my condition, find a shidduch and continue learning.

Suffice to say that 10 years later, I am still gaining insights and continuing learning (B"H - Torah - Mussar - Be'ikar), though a shidduch is yet forthcoming. I would like to return as in the interim my son has also returned (after completing army service he is now studying in a Lubavitcher Yeshivah). My main concern is where to live. I am seeking to live in a Mussar-devoted moshav - or yishuv - away from cities but close to the kevarim. It wouldn't be such a difficult endeavor to undertake, except that I would be returning with 3 cats who I wouldn't leave here, that just translates into anyplace that I choose (or is chosen) to live in must also accomodate these 3 creatures of Hashem without it being seen as *tumah* or *strange*.

Is there any such place that you know of? For if there is, surely I will be happy to consider wrapping things up here and alighting once again on to the Land.

Thank you

Yechidah Sarai,
Woodstock, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

162.

Q. My son's Bar Mitzvah is aproaching. His Haftorah section is Zachor, Deut. XXV. 17-19. I would be very grateful if you can lead me to an interpretation of this section. Lastly I would like to locate some background information on the Prophet Samuel.

Thank you

Ken Wiesen,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

161.

Q. I belong to an email list that sends updates about those injured by terrorism. I am sending you a copy. Anyone else can obtain it by emailing tefilla@netvision.net.il. Based on your answer to question #90, would it be correct to say that these names should not be included in "rafainu", but rather in a separate bakasha in "shma kolainu"? If so, is there a proper nusach for mentioning these names? I also had several other questions, regardless of where we include the request of a speedy recovery.

1. Is it okay to include the names of gentiles (e.g. druze who have been injured) together with the others. I am wondering since the end of the tefilla in rafainu is "betoch she'ar cholei Yisrael"?

2.If not, where should I add their names and is there a prescribed nusach?

3.And would we follow the same name format (i.e. name son/daughter of mother's name)? If so, what would one say if they did not know the mother's name?

4. In general, what should be the responsibility of the community to these people? Based on your answer, they should not be included individually in the mi she bayrach in shul, although we do say in our shul "vekol nifgei haterror".

Thank you

anonymous,

Rabbi Leff's response

160.

Q. Can I put grapes in a blender and use that for kiddush. If so, would I need to remove all the pulp and skins? Could I add another fruit for taste? How much water would I be allowed to add to it?

Thank you

David,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

159.

Q. Some communities have established a communal system of mishloach manot. It works like this: Each family receives a list of all of the families in the community, and checks off which families they would like to give to. They then give a donation to tzedaka (according to the number of families they have chosen). On Purim each family receives one big basket, with a list of all the families that chose to send to them.

I have heard that one has not fulfilled the mitzvah by particpating in this arrangement. Is this correct?

Thank you

Daniel,
Givat Shmuel

Rabbi Leff's response

158.

Q. Hello Rabbi Leff I have a friend who's mother is Catholic and father is Jewish. He chooses to follow the Jewish religion, but does not believe that it is the mother that determines the child's religion. He claims that he read that this law has just came into existence not more then 200 years ago. I am not a chacham, but I do believe this halacha has been around a lot longer then that. I am trying to locate in any jewish text where it is stated that the child's religion is determined via the mother. Any information you have on this would be of great help for if I have i leg to stand on, their is a chance he will go through with a Giur.

Thank you

David Pinchas,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

157.

Q. In the first perek of this weeks sedra passuk 7 it says that you can pierce the slave's ear so if the ear is being pierced as a punishment for violating the commandment not to steal, it should be done at the begining of the six years, right after the act of stealing. Why wait until the theif refuses his freedom?

Thank you

Jake,
Miami Beach

Rabbi Leff's response

156.

Q. In your answer about the elections (134, 110) you wrote that a person needs to vote for a party that is supported by the Gedolim. However, isn't it possible that the Gedolim are making a mistake? After all the torah has a parsha of Par Helem Davar shel Tzibur and in fact the gemara relates that the later Chachamim thought the R' Yochanan Ben Zacai had made a mistake when he just asked for Yavne, and they quoted a Pasuk "meishiv chachamim achor".

In fact, just about all the gedolim in pre-WWII Europe were against people leaving and moving to America. Yet, in hindsight, it is clear that their opinion was wrong, those people who left (like my grandparents) survived and most of those who stayed perished.

In short, could we not say that maybe today as well, the Gedolim are making a mistake in their view and a party like Herut, etc. is correct?

Thank you

Martin Bluke,
Raanana

Rabbi Leff's response

155.

Q. In Israel today, the Hareidi education system teaches no secular studies after elementary school and in general does not prepare students to work, rather EVERY student is assumed to be someone who will sit and learn and toraso umnaso.

Isn't this attitude against the halacha? The mishna in Kiddushin clearly states that "chayav adam llamed es bno umnus". Also, the gemara in Brachos (35b) states that "harbei asu k'R' Shimon Ben Yochai v'lo alsa byadam". The gemara clearly states that "toraso umnaso" is NOT for the masses and that the masses SHOULD go out and make a living (of course they need to learn whenever they are not working). In fact, the Brisker Rav (parshas Chayei Sara) uses this idea to explain the contradiction between R' N'horai in the last mishna in Kiddushin where he writes that he would teach his son only torah. The Brisker Rav comments that R' N'Horai's son was one of the elite who could do it but for the masses there certainly is a chiyuv to teach them a trade, R' Elchanan also makes these points in his teshuva about going to college, where he clearly states that most people should work.

Thank you

Martin Bluke,
Raanana

Rabbi Leff's response

154.

Q. In the Mishpatim Dvar Torah you described a person that is spiritually stagnated and has developed a spiritual inferiority complex.i have a good friend with this problem. Is there any way to make him aware of the problem without alienating him.

Thank you



anonymous,
N.Y.C.

Rabbi Leff's response

153.

Q. I teach some secular teenage girls who have some questions about the role of women in judiasm. I would be very grateful for some direction

1. Why can't women be rabbis,participate in shul etc.

2. Why do women need extra tznius?

3. Women seem second class in frum society?

4. Why are women exempt from time related mitzvos.

Thank you


anonymous,
Montreal

Rabbi Leff's response

152. Q. The posuk in parshas Trumah says, "Don't cook a kid in its mothers milk", but the targum says, "don't eat meat in milk". Why does the Targum seemigly change the posuk? Eating and cooking are two different things, and why is it more general by referring to meat, and not just a kid?


Thank you.

Anonymous,
Modiin, Israel

Rabbi Leff's response

151. Q. At the company where I work one of the employees placed an order for a tool for use by another employee, who really wants it for personal use. The guy placing the order knows this, and gave me a knowing little 'sshhh'.

It's not a very expensive tool.

Should I do something about it?

Thank you.

Shlomo Zalman Jessel,
Moshav Matityahu



Rabbi Leff's response

150. Q. What is the Halacha regarding opening sealed bags and containers on Shabbos.

Thank you.

Yitzi Padawer,
Staten Island, NY


Rabbi Leff's response

149.

Q. I started a new job where I have to be at work by 7 so I have to leave by 630. The problem concerns davening because netz is at 638. It is not correct to daven shmoneh esrei before, right? Also, I was suggested to say everything except s"e and when I get to work, to say it. But then I wont be able to talk the whole time and people may think I am ignoring them. How do I do this, and what order should I daven so I can complete as much davening as possible before I go to work?

Thank you.

Tamara,
Jerusalem


Rabbi Leff's response

148.

Q. In Sanhedrin 111a, Rava states that there will only be two survivors who will live to see the times of Moshiach. I have asked several people to explain the meaning of this not-very-well known-statement, and they either denied it or brushed it aside. I am concerned about it, since although we're not supposed to speculate about messianic times, there has been talk about the impending war on Iraq being the war of Gog uMagog, and the aformentioned gemara may have a very literal meaning. Does the Rav have an explanation of the gemara, and do any gedolim predict the war of Gog uMagog any time soon?

Thank you.

Anonymous,
Haifa

Rabbi Leff's response

147. Q. A) It is said that in the days of Moshiach their will be no desire. The Ramban in Devarim (30,6) explains that in the days of Moshiach (apparently even before Olam Haboah) the inclination for good will be part of the human nature. A person will not desire what is wrong. If so, 1)How does one understand the explanation of the Koheles Rabbah (brought by the Ramban himself in Sha'ar Hagemul)of the gemara in Sanhedrin Daf 95a that the dead will be resurrected with their deformities so that people will not say these are the not the dead that died. 2)The Oruch L'ner on Yevamos 47a explains that converts will not be accepted in the times of Moshiach due to the fear that they will convert for ulterior motives (as in the days of King David's reign). However if the only human desire is for good then what other motives are possible?

B) The gemara in Sanhedrin 97b brings a dispute as to whether the Jews will have to repent in order to be redeemed. The Maharal in Netsach Yisroel (chapter 31) explains that according to R'Yehoshua a repentance by force (fear) will suffice. However according to R'Eliezer the Jews must repent from their own free will. If so how can their be a predetermined end to the galus if the end can only brought by the free choice of good? Furthermore how can the Geulah be guaranteed at all, as it is by the prophets? In a similar vein Tosfaos on Yevamos (Daf 50a) states that the earlier prophecies regarding Chizkiyahu could have been nullified because of his sin. If so why does this logic not apply to the prophecies regarding Moshiach?

C) The gemara on Yevamos 49a states that Yeshaya did not actually see G-d when he says "I saw G-d siiting on his throne high and exalted". Rashi seems to indicate that Yeshaya made a mistake and did not actually see G-d. The Sefer HaIkrim (3,17) explicitly states that this was a mistake on Yeshaya's behalf. Therefore, 1)If Yeshaya could misinterpet a prophecy how are we assured of the validity of other prophecies. 2) In a similar vein if all prophecies (except for that of Moshe) were seen as a "moshel and meleitzah"(Rambam,Ramchal) how do we know that they were interperted correctly? And 3)if the above staement of Yeshaya was a maistake how can it be included in Torah which is an absolute truth?

Thank you.

Anonymous,
Yerushalayim



Rabbi Leff's response

146. Q. I have had a yearning to fullfill the mitzvah of Yishuv Eretz Yisrael since becoming frum 12 years ago. My wife had never been to Eretz Yisrael until this year, and therefore could not make a commitment. Now that she has visited, she still will not seriously consider moving. I am so uncomfortable living in chutz l'Aretz and suffering such strong pangs to live in HaAretz, that I even considered compelling my wife to move under the threat of divorce. This is something I do not want to do as I love my wife, but my love of HaAretz is equally as strong. What should I do?


Q. I believe that the ruchnius my family and I would be improved by living in E.Y. However, I have no idea how we would survive financially, in the long-term. Is it better that we pursue improved spirituality by making aliyah at the potential destruction of our financial security, or remain in chutz l'Aretz, where the economy is better?

Thank you.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

145. Q. I have had throughout my life recurring dreams about my teeth falling out of my mouth. Each dream is different, sometimes it is one tooth, sometimes many, and sometimes even the red tissues of my gums come out with the teeth that I catch in my hand. I am terribly disturbed by these dreams, crying terribly with my chest heaving from crying in my dream. I get them about once or twice a year maybe, although sometimes a few years go by without these dreams thank G-d! These dreams really disturb me. I know there was some type of mystical reason for the falling out of teeth in dreams. Some say it is a symbol about losing one's finances/wealth, etc. Then others say no, this is a good dream. I can't believe it is a good dream the way I am terrified and crying. What is the explanation of teeth falling out of one's mouth in dreams?

Thank you.

Tamar,
Jerusalem


Rabbi Leff's response

144.
Q. Where does one draw the line between bitachon (trust in H')and not relying on a miracle?

Thank you.

David


Rabbi Leff's response

143.

Q. There are a variety of glow in the dark stickers made for childrens' rooms. Is there a halachic problem of putting up such stickers in the shapes of the moon and the stars? What about lights or other decorations in these shapes

Thank you.

David


Rabbi Leff's response

142.

Q. My grandmother is 100% sure that she was named after a male relative, Yedidya. He had died young so she was named Yedidya Alta. Since her parents were not religous, I assume they just told the Rabbi that they were naming after a Yedidya and he assigned the name to my grandmother. I've also assumed that the Rabbi would have changed the name to a feminine form like Yedida. Since she is not yet religous and her parents were not, the name was never really used and she never would have noticed if it was Yedidya or Yedida.

I recently found her ketuba and her name there is listed as Chana. The ketuba was written in a Rabbi's office some time after my grandparents had eloped. I figured the Rabbi may not have even been a shomer mitzvot, just took them in, wrote a ketuba without paying attention to details and sent them on their way as quick as he could. This was reinforced by the fact my grandfather's name in the ketuba does not say Halevi, which he was. Her English name is Anne and I guess this Rabbi saw a young unreligous couple, asked my grandfather what his name was, and assumed what my grandmother's name was based on her English name, Anne. My grandmother says the Rabbi never even asked her for her her name. My grandmother is still a very sharp woman and I believe she would remember this event correctly.

In addition, I recently, I discovered this Rabbi is the great-granduncle of a close friend of mine so I know now that he was a shomer mitzvot, although my other assumptions may still be correct. When I doven for my grandmother (amush) or need her Hebrew name for other things, should I be using Yedidya Alta, Yedida Alta, Chana, or some combination? I know many mekubalim are very meticulous about calling a person by their true name which reveals their essence - I want to be sure that I give her the proper respect she deserves and ensure that my tefillot for her are said in a proper manner.

Thank you.

Concerned grandson



Rabbi Leff's response

141. Q. The Mesilas Yesharim, in the Chapter, "Factors which detract from watchfullness" (Mafsidei Hazehirus) talks in very harsh terms of people who are immersed in laughter and levity. Does this mean that we shouldn't be happy and laugh and make others laugh? Does it mean we shouldn't go overboard and make a joke of everything? What can we use as a measuring stick to know if and when we are being too lightheaded. I'm generally a happy, congenial person who likes to make people smile and laugh, but I'm also a relgious Jew who takes life and the Torah seriously. How do I reconcile these two seemingly contradictory things?

Thank you.

Anonymous

 

Rabbi Leff's response

140. Q. Is there a relationship or connection between parshat beshalach and tu
beshvat

Thank you.


David,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

139. We use a dud shemesh that contains an electric element for heating the water on
cloudy days. We don't actually use the element as we have a junkers for an
alternate source of hot water.

Q. If we disconnect the switch for the electric element, would it be
permissible to use the dud shemesh on Shabbath?

Thank you.

David Waxman,
Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

138. Q. We have a major problem in my Synagogue, which causes a lot of
argument: I thought perhaps you could help us to resolve it. Some of those who
daven at the daily minyan have been doing so for many years. They have their
regular parking places in the car park. One man has decided that he will park
wherever he chooses, claiming that noone has any greater right to any given
parking place than anyone else. This causes much irritation and fighting. Who is
correct in Jewish law?

Thank you.

Arnie Ross,
South Africa

Rabbi Leff's response

137. Q. The Magen Avraham (156:2) states that if one says a statement but does
not attribute it to the person who said it, he transgresses a negative
commandment.

In relation to this Magen Avraham, please would you kindly answer the following
questions:

1) If one heard that there was a statement made in the Gemorah by an Amora but
cannot remember which Amora said it, can he say over the statement by saying
"Chazal say...."?
2) If one learnt a dvar halocha and wants to teach it to his friend, does he
have to say exactly who taught it to him or where he learnt it?
3) If one's rabbi gave a drosha and mentioned a dvar Torah from a particular
Chacham, and now wants to tell his friend what his rabbi said, is it sufficient
for him to mention the dvar Torah in the name of his rabbi or does he have to
give it over in the name of the Chacham?
4) If one heard a dvar Torah but cannot remember who told it to him, can he
still give it over?
5) Does the transgression apply to divrei Torah alone or does it apply to
secular statements too?

Thank you.

Jonathan Fox,
Johannesburg, SA

Rabbi Leff's response

136. Q. If I don't wash for bread but the meal is a main one of the day, like
dinner, Can I bless Birkat Hamazon or do I have to or don't have to bless?

Thank you.

Joshua Geldman,
Toronto Canada

Rabbi Leff's response

135.
Q. Am I allowed to listen to non-Jewish music?

Thank you.
Anonymous

 

Rabbi Leff's response

134.

Q. I am becoming "deaf" from the pervasively resounding silence that has encompassed the religious world here in Eretz Yisrael. It is becoming increasingly "deafening" day by day.

What is this "silence"?

It is the silence of our religious leaders-our gedolai b'Yisrael who have yet to give off their unified "scream" to the world. "Gevolt geshriggen"--we've had enough of this horrendous bloodshed. Since I can't hear too well anymore, I'll simply ask the question "does anyone recall hearing a loud scream coming from our religious leaders?" Has anyone seen anything in the press lately as to what the position of K'lal Yisrael is [should be] with regard to the current crisis that is having a devastating impact on our precious lives?

How much longer can we bear the brunt of the mindless cruelties and atrocities being committed against our people by Arab and Islamic terrorism? How much longer can we sit at home worrying until our loved ones return safely from learning, work, or other normal daily activities?

Regarding question 110 submitted to your website a short time ago-(about voting in the upcoming Israeli elections) :

What parties does the rav consider to be ones that follow Da'as Torah? Are the only choices I have Yahadut HaTorah and Shas? I don't see either of these parties doing much about anything. Am I to understand that if we consider ourselves to be "fruma yidden" [Jews guided by halacha] living our lives in accordance with da'as Torah (Rabbinical guidance), then are we not able to vote our conscience and select the party that we feel has its act together with a platform that is in the best interests of our people? How about a party such as Herut/Yamin whose leaders have done their homework and have developed a constitution, guided by Torah principles, with an emphasis on Jewish nationalism? Such a party as Herut/Yamin is totally against the formation of a Palestinian state within our borders. Moreover,it is totally against the foolish, and heretofore suicidal concept of "land for peace" [albeit the pekuach nefesh principle of Jewish law]. Has it not yet become clear to any informed person that no matter what we do, or do not do, we are in a constant life threatening stage. How can we give away our land? That is against Torah law, is it not?

Is it not proper for a Torah observant Jew to vote his conscience, thereby "turning up the sound to this deafening silence" that has become pervasive and stultifying within K'lal Yisrael? Maybe, just maybe, our unified "scream" to the world via the media [our Torah hasbara] will make the world sit up and take notice. Our silence does not seem to be doing the job!

Respectfully,
From a deeply concerned, frustrated, and "hearing-impaired" resident in Har Nof

Thank you.

Anonymous,
Har Nof

Rabbi Leff's response

133.

Q. One of my friends mentioned to me that if you go to the bathroom in middle of the night you don't have to say Asher Yatzar. Is this true? If so why wouldn't one need to say it?

Thank you.

Aliza,
Canada


Rabbi Leff's response

132. Q. Does a shofar have to be taken from an animal which was slaughtered
according to the laws of shechitah?

Thank you.


Daniel,
upstate new york

 

Rabbi Leff's response

131.

Q. I understand that the "optional' line was removed from Aleynu due to
the fact that gentile printers did not appreciate the ramifications of that
line. Now that we print our own siddurs, why is that line still optional? The
first paragraph of Aleynu was written by Yehoshua. how do we have the right to
remove from it?

Thank you.

David,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

130.

Q. I realize that one is not supposed to make a neder (vow). Is it halachically forbidden from doing so? If so, why?

Is it similarly forbidden to promise something? Is a promise necessarily a vow?
Is there a difference between promising to do something in the future or
promising something will happen in the future (which is always uncertain)and
promising that something already happened (eg. if someone doesn't believe me
when I tell them that something happened, can I say, "I promise it happened."?)

Thank you.

Anonymous

 

Rabbi Leff's response

129.

Someone recommended a person to me as a potential rommmate (let's call him Y.), and I accepted him into my apartment. It turned out that Y. is irresponsible, does not pay his bills, has no work (and is not doing anything practical about it), and appears to be generally dysfunctional and in need of help.

Is it appropriate to tell the person who recommended Y. the truth, so that he will not recommend Y. to anyone else? Or is this leshon hara? Thank you.

Anonymous

 

Rabbi Leff's response

128.

Q. Is it permitted in any way to reuse what's left in a Kiddush cup, or
does it become unfit for use for subsequent kiddushes?

If a Torah observant Jew drank from a bottle of kosher wine or grape juice, does
it cause the rest of what's in the bottle to become unfit for kiddush?

Thank you.

Baruch Slater

Rabbi Leff's response

127.

Q. There are people in Har Nof going to playgrounds on Shabbos and giving
the children popsickles if they'll repeat the Chabbad "yechi."

My questions are any of the following:

1. What's the Rav's opinion of the "yechi"
2. Do I have a halachic claim against them if I don't want my kids approached in
this manner?
3. What does the Rav advise I do in this situation?

Thanks very much!

Dov Krulwich,
Har Nof, Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

126.

Q. What was the name of Lot's wife?

Fran Stoll,
California

Rabbi Leff's response

125.

Q. I have heard different opinions regarding the kashrut of asparagus and
brussels sprouts. Could the Rav please elaborate and say how he holds.
Thank you.

David,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

124.

Q. What is the situation with the Rav Auerbach Mehadrin hechsher that is
seen on Tnuvah chicken products and elsewhere? I have heard from some
individuals that the hechsher is unreliable. Is this true? If so, why?

Yisrael Kaniel,
Beit Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

123.

Q. The Rav mentioned in the minhagei chanukah shiur that one can't make a
seven branched menorah. Does that mean there are halachic issues with the
organization which is making vessels for the Bet HaMikdash, including a menorah,
which is on display in the Cardo if I remember correctly?

Brian,
Boca Raton, FL

Rabbi Leff's response

122.

Q. Everytime I get into my car, I say tefillat haderech without chatimat HaShem. I would like to know if this is okay. Secondly, I was wondering if tefillat haDerech is ever required for a short journey, for example driving on a section of I95 known to have many accidents or driving in snow or on a very slippery or icy road or mountain?

David,
Pennsylvania


Rabbi Leff's response

121. Q. Please, sir, I'm learning about your religion. I have read that 2
different Torahs exist. One was written in Jerusalem the other in Baghdad.
Is there a conflict of which is the correct one. If not are they both now one
Torah. Is this a non issue? Have separations of the Jewish faith or controversies
arisen due to this? All info will be appreciated. Thank you, sir.

George,
Munich, Germany


Rabbi Leff's response

120. Q. The Gemara in Eiruvin which relates the famous debate between the sages Hillel and Shamai about whether or not it would have been better if man was not created at all, is resolved that after 2 ½ years. They concluded that indeed, it would have been better that man was not created - that our neshamas (souls) would have been better off staying up in the spiritual world of neshamas rather than being dragged down into a physical world. My question is: how can we understand chazal's debating whether or not something Hashem does is good or not? And even more, concluding that He did the wrong thing? Isn't there an element of chutzpa in our (or even Chazal's) judging Hashem's actions?

Thank you.

R' Aryeh Varon & R.C.S,
Matityahu


Rabbi Leff's response

119.

Q. After listening to the Rav's answer about question 112 I was a little disturbed. Being someone on the "journey" myself I can saythat it isn't easy to focus on other things. month after month I wait and wait. After each treatment I hold my breathe for 2 weeks hoping and davening. Treatments rule my schedule. Not focusing on on it isn't realistic-Wanting children is a strong feeling that can't be subdued. Feeling "davened out" is part of our meltdowns. My question is how do we get up when we feel we have reached the end of the rope all the money is gone all the will power is gone?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

118. I am in a discussion with a Roman Catholic about the events leading to
the crucifixion of Jesus. She informed me that Jesus went on trial with the
Jewish high priest presiding, and who ultimately sent Jesus to the Romans for
execution.

I had never heard this before. And I also understood that our Cohen HaGadol was
not involved in trials or the Sanheddrin.

We looked into the King James version of John and found these verses about the
"high priest" Caiaphas:
========================
John.18
[13] And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas,
which was the high priest that same year.
[14] Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient
that one man should die for the people.
[24] Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
[28] Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was
early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be
defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
========================
Now I know how my Catholic acquaintance thinks what she does.

We further searched for more on the subject and found the following at the web
site of the University of Missouri's Law School on the Trial of Jesus:

=========================
Joseph Caiaphas was the high priest of Jerusalem who, according to Biblical
accounts, sent Jesus to Pilate for his execution.

As high priest and chief religious authority in the land, Caiaphas had many
important responsibilities, including controlling the Temple treasury, managing
the Temple police and other personnel, performing religious rituals,
and--central to the passion story--serving as president of the Sanhedrin, the
Jewish council and court that reportedly considered the case of Jesus.

The high priest had another, more controversial function in first-century
Jerusalem: serving as a sort of liason between Roman authority and the Jewish
population. High priests, drawn from the Sadducean aristocracy, received their
appointment from Rome since the time of Herod the Great, and Rome looked to high
priests to keep the Jewish populace in line. We know from other cases (such as
one incident in 66 C.E.) that Roman prefects might demand that high priests
arrest and turn over Jews seen as agitators.

Caiaphas was the son-in-law of Annas, high priest from 6 to 15 C.E. and head of
a family that would control the high priesthood for most of the first century.
Annas is also mentioned in Biblical accounts. It is possible that he, as a high
priest emeritus, might have served at the side of Caiaphas in the Sanhedrin
called to resolve the fate of Jesus.

Although little is known of Caiaphas, historians infer from his long tenure as
high priest, from 18 to 36 C.E., that he must have worked well with Roman
authority. For ten years, Caiaphas served with Roman prefect Pontius Pilate.
The two presumably had a close relationship. It is likely that Caiaphas and
Pilate had standing arrangements for how to deal with subversive persons such as
Jesus.

Caiaphas's motives in turning Jesus over to Pilate are a subject of speculation.
Some historians suggest that he had little choice. Others argue that Caiaphas
saw Jesus as a threat to the existing religious order. He might have believed
that if Jesus wasn't restrained or even executed that the Romans might end their
relative tolerance of Jewish institutions.

High priests, including Caiaphas, were both respected and despised by the Jewish
population. As the highest religious authority, they were seen as playing a
critical role in religious life and the Sanhedrin. At the same time, however,
many Jews resented the close relationship that high priest maintained with Roman
authorities and suspected them of taking bribes or practicing other forms of
corruption.

In the year 36 C.E., both Caiaphas and Pilate were dismissed from office by
Syrian governor, Vitellius, according to Jewish historian Josephus. It seems
likely that the cause of their dismissal was growing public unhappiness with
their close cooperation. Rome might have perceived the need for a conciliatory
gesture to Jews whose sensibilities had been offended by the two leaders.
Josephus described the high priests of the family of Annas as "heartless when
they sit in judgment."
==========================

Is this accurate?

Did we have a Cohen HaGadol involved in these matters?

We would appreciate your insight and comment.

Thank you.

Dubi


Rabbi Leff's response

117. Q. The Rav shlita said "e-mail Spamming for Tzedakah was wrong" (question 43). My question- since we assume a Yid is happy for Mitzvah and Chesed opportunity (like i can use Tefilin and/or a sefer w/o permission) why should this be different?

Sholom ubrocha vkol hakovod.

Dovid Sandel,
NYC, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

116.

Q. Why does the torah prohibit cutting peyot (hair on the corners of males' heads)?

Menachem Hojda,
Oak Park, Michigan

Rabbi Leff's response

115.

Q. What is the torah view of Psychology?

Menachem Hojda,
Oak Park, Michigan

Rabbi Leff's response

114.

Q. When I want to wash for 'hamotzi' and I want to wash my hands with
soap, how should I proceed?

Jacob Zoberman,
Toronto, Ontario

Rabbi Leff's response

113.

Could you please tell me if there is a book that explains the Jewish customs such as the men having a curl & such things as why you can't plant certain plants in the same field & other such customs or if there is anything on the internet that covers these topics? Thank you may GOD Bless.

Pat O'Connell,
lberta, Canada

Rabbi Leff's response

112.

I am just at a loss. I have been on this journey of infertility so long. I just don't' think I have the strength left to continue running after this elusive bubble in the wind. Obviously, for some reason, the Ribono Shel Olam is keeping the gift of children from us. It is not for us to question why. I accept it. But then what is my purpose in life? What am I supposed to fill my long empty days with? I just cannot continue living on "HOLD", living for the future, waiting for that elusive pregnancy to materialize. I have to live life in the present. But what do I actually do with myself?

Anonymous

I have a friend who is trying to have children for so long. She has failed 5 IVF tries, money is tight her husband lost his job . She is "davened out". She has no strength to go on. How do I encourage her?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

111.

After what happened in Chevron this week, I thought back to my shock after hearing about Baruch Goldstein. How should we, as halachic Jews, view him? We hear about how he would even treat Arabs with no discrimination in his medical treatment of the sick. Do we separate the man from his actions? Some "understand" his actions when they look at the situation of the Jews in Chevron. There were also media reports outside of Israel that a pogrom was being planned by the Arabs and weapons stored in the cave were only found because of his actions. Do we distinguish between condoning and understanding?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

110.

Q. How should halacha guide one's voting in the Israeli elections? Specifically, could one vote for a party like Likud which doesnt always represent halachic values? If so, should one vote for Feiglin who is trying to bring Jewish values into the Likud, even though it seems like a wasted vote. Even more, a vote for Feiglin would probably take away from Netanyahu who is against a Palestinian state and would help Sharon who is for a Palestinian state?

Zev Stark,
Kiryat Moshe

Years ago, I heard Rav Kahane speak in Y.U. (before Oslo naturally). At the time, he made an interesting statement. He said that he would sooner vote for a leftwing religious government before a nonr eligous rightwing government. I realize that there are rightwing religious parties, but I was still wondering how the Rav feels about this statement.

Reuvein Binyamin Chaim,
Har Nof

Rabbi Leff's response

109. Q. Recently, my 7 year old son, who was forgetting to share with his younger siblings (who almost always share with him voluntarily), despite numerous requests from my wife and myself, was warned that if he didn't share, the items in question would be taken away. He protested, saying that since we gave them to him, they're his, and we aren't allowed to take them away, that it would be geneiva. My wife and I usually try hard not to do this, to force our kids to share against their will, hoping that sometime, the good example (I hope) that my wife and I provide to our children in this matter, will eventually rub off. But it got too much for me, seeing how cruel he was being. So I told him I'd ask a shyla for future reference.

Do I have the right to take away something I gave him (whether he earned it through a "mivtza" or it was stam a matana) even just temporarily to let one of my other children play with it (something my son hasn't played with in months, for example, and, seeing his brother playing with it, he suddenly has the urge to play just with that toy.)

I taught him the first Rashi in the Torah - was that not appropriate, as I'm not Hashem, and his toy isn't Eretz Yisrael, and he's not Canaan? Does everything that a wife or child own automatically belong to the husband/father? Or is he right - am I stealing what is rightfully his?

How can I train my son to be more giving and sharing like all three of his siblings are without comparing him, and without making him resentful? Why, if they (and we) are so sharing with him, is he so stingy and nasty back?

Rabbi Leff's response

108.

Q. Is it a problem to buy non-kosher food for my gentile coworkers because of maris ayin (doing something which is halachically permissable, but could be construed as being forbidden)?

Rabbi Leff's response

107.

Q. Which sources say that Rachel is buried in Kever Rachel and why? And where are other possibilities for her burial place? Who says she is buried somewhere else and what are their reasons?

David,
Flint

Rabbi Leff's response

106.

Q. If Yakov had to keep Mitzvot in Eretz Yisrael, and therefore could not be married to two sisters once he entered the land, then does the fact that Rachel died in Beit Lechem imply that Beitlechem is not part of Eretz Yisrael?

David,
Flint

Rabbi Leff's response

105.

Q. I am a Kohen. Am I allowed to position my hands as in Birkat Kohenim
when I bless my children on Friday night?

DB

Rabbi Leff's response

104.

Q. What is the din in reading english divrei Torah in the toilet? What are the m'koros?

Jacob,
Australia

Rabbi Leff's response

103.

Q. I want to know what brief, special, deep meaning the month of Kislev
has, also the sixth day of Chanukah.

Shawn Driscoll,
Missouri, USA


Rabbi Leff's response

102.

Q. The latest method of raising money for people in need (the "lucky" Ones) is having a glossy brochure made with a heart rendering description of The family(ies) with 5 or 10 pictures of rabbanim signing their approval of The appeal. How should we approach these appeals? A little to all of them or some are more worthy than others (if so, which), what percentage of available funds should go to this as opposed to people in your city?

Chaim Jacobs,
Moshav Matityahu


Rabbi Leff's response

101. Q. Shalom, Rabbi Leff,

Many companies, the most popular being Hotmail and Yahoo, offer free e-mail services. There are at least three ways that they earn money on this. They forward e-mail solicitations to you from various advertisers, count on you to visit their web site regularly to view advertisements they display there, and expect that some of their millions of customers will decide to pay to upgrade their e-mail account to one with more features and privileges. There are other companies (like Juno) that work in a similar though not identical fashion.

When you sign up with these companies, they typically require you to fill out a lengthy questionnaire indicating your age, gender, income, hobbies, and so on. The purpose of this is presumably so that they can target their advertisements to users with specific characteristics.

I registered for free e-mail with one of these companies, one that doesn't post ads on its web site but presumably is responsible for some of the "spam" (junk mail) that I get every day. A lot of these advertisements are offensive to me. Some are immodest if not outright obscene. I suspect I would get less of these offensive advertisements if, instead of their customer profile indicating that I am a man in his thirties, it said I was a woman in her eighties. I'd probably get more ads for skin creams, but less ads for smut.

May I change my profile, i.e., lie on the questionnaire, in order to avoid unwanted advertisements? Does it make a difference that the company has other ways they can make money from me, such as the chance that I might upgrade to paid service? Actually, I did in fact eventually upgrade, so I pay them a yearly fee now.)

A similar question arises when a web site requires an e-mail address to "log on". May I enter a phoney address to avoid the inevitable junk mail that will result?

If the ads I were getting weren't immodest but were just a nuisance, then
what?

Shlomo Zalman Jessel,
Moshav Matityahu

Rabbi Leff's response

100.

Q. Often when learning gemara, one comes across names of many different plants and animals and utensils, many of them unheard of today. Is it worthwhile to go and look them up in an encyclopedia to help visualize what the gemara is referring to, or is this a waste of time since the "shakla vetarya" can be understood without it, besides for the fact that we don't really know exactly what many of them are?

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

99.

Q. I have had a series of vary scary nightmares and I was wondering if it might mean anything.

Anonymous,
Beitar

Rabbi Leff's response

98.

I read that Yakov was punished mida keneged mida for his deception of his father. He was deceived by Lavan and later by his own sons. As he deceived his father with a goat and coat, so was he later deceived by his sons with a goat and a coat.
   1) If Yakov followed HaShem's plan and obeyed every word of his mother which she received thru prophecy or Ruach HaKodesh, how could he be punished for his actions?
   2) What could he have done differently to still accomplish what he needed to accomplish but without being punished? 3) Why was Rivka not punished as well?

Anonymous,
Chalamish

Rabbi Leff's response

97.

Q. Is there a connection between the fact that the Torah presents Yitzchak as a very passive individual always being forced into different situations and his living in a place called "Gerar", meaning pulled or dragged?

Anonymous,
Pennsylvania

Rabbi Leff's response

96.

Q. What exactly is the birthright and what is the meaning of Esav's selling the birthright? If it is the spiritual inheritance from Avraham, then Yitzchak was planning to give that to Yakov anyway as we see at the end of Toldot. Was there actually a chance of the Jewish people descending from Esav? What would have happened had it not been "sold"? Yakov was the only one who was spiritually capable of this inheritance. Regarding the materialistic brachot, it seems there was enough to go around for both of them. Does the birthright refer to the materialistic bracha?

Anonymous,
Sunrise, FL

Rabbi Leff's response

95.

Q. Is it against halachah to violate a law in the land in which you reside, even if that law is not a Torah law?

Jonathan Gradman,
Waltham, MA

Rabbi Leff's response

94.

Q. If two people get divorced, is there a halacha about how far away they must live separately from each other?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

93.

Q. Does the isur of sfichin in Shmita totally preclude the possibility of picking vegetables that grow in Eretz Yisrael? If it does, then how can vegetables be picked at all within an otzar beis din framework? Does this mean that all vegetables during Shmita must come from the sixth year or from outside Eretz Yisrael or non-Jewish owned land in Eretz Yisrael? I've found this issue confusing. Please clarify.

Yisreael Kaniel,
Beit Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

92.

Q. I was in Mattatiyahu many years ago for Shabbat and I think the Rav had said that "maybe it was permissible to learn Torah silently during chazarat hashatz and that is how I hold." First of all, forgive me and correct me if I am not remembering correctly. Secondly what should be the proper behavior during chazarat hashatz? Sitting or standing? Feet together? If the shatz is quick and by saying barchu uvaruch shmo, you would overlap chatimat habracha or by saying amen, you overlap the beginning of the next bracha, should you answer? Many people put tzedaka in a pushka during chazara. Is that okay? Is it permissible to collect tzedaka during chazara? If not, how does one respond? Should the response be different between one collecting for himself and, lets say, someone collecting for the shul? Can a gabai do his "gabaut" during the chazara? If not, what do you do when he asks if you are a kohen or levi?

Anonymous,
Florida

Rabbi Leff's response

91.

Q. What does the well known expression "Beis Medrash shel Maalah" refer to - is this just a figurative term for Olam Haba, or is there some sort of real beis medrash in Heaven with neshamas sitting and learning?

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

90.

Q. What type of sickness warrants including someone as a choleh? And how long should one stay on such a list? My grandmother lives in a condiminium community and her neighbors often give her names of cholim for me, her "orthodox grandson", to daven for them. For example, on my list, are people with Alzheimers, Parkinsons, recovering stroke patients, autistic children. One stroke victim had the stroke six years ago and can drive (usually) and function, but has lasting effects, physical and otherwise. His recovery has been a see-saw. Sometimes, these effects get worse and require therapy. Another person lives a normal life, but she has constant internal bleeding and needs monthly hospitilzation and transfusions which totally debilitate her for several days. One of the children also has ups and downs, sometimes requiring therapy. Medically speaking, there is no current refuah for most of these people, but it seems a lack of emunah not to doven for them and hope for a re! fuah shlayma. Years ago, I said tehillim for a sick boy every day until the kahal complained. Just before that, however, his illness disapeared overnight with no medical explanantion. Is there a difference in whom I include in my personal shmoneh esrey and who I include in mi shebayrach (tircha detzibura). Is there a difference if the cholim are family or not? And what validates publicly saying tehillim on their behalf?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

89.

Q. We are taught the Torah doesn't waste any words but in parsha Toldos, there seems to be lot of repetition of family relationships in conversations e.g Rivka Imenu to Yaakov "Asov your brother.." Surely there was no need for her to remind him which Asov she was speaking about?

Shimon Frais
Ramat Beit Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

88.

Q. Why is the meat of fish considered parve, and the meat of beef and fowl
is flaishig? Also, why do we have to use different dishes and silver from one to
the other?

Anonymous,
North Miami Beach

Rabbi Leff's response

87.

Q. Jeshua deviated himself completely from torah and Shema.That´s what Christians will never understand . Am I right sir? I have just started studying Torah. Please tell me what "shulchan aruch" means .

Anonymous,
El Salvador

Rabbi Leff's response

86. Q. How much Hishtadlus must one do in Israel in this present time? Meaning: If one lives in the Shtachim, should he only drive in a bullet proof vehicle, bullet proof vest, or is there a certain percentage of danger which would require one to take more extreme steps? Also should one use only taxis in Jerusalem and not travel on buses because many people say it is safer? Or is one suppose to continue living the way they always did, just one should be more careful when needed?

Thank You in Advance

Rabbi Leff's response

85.

Q. During my 9 or 10 hours at work, I always have a cup of water in front
of me. Sometimes I will drink every 10 minutes and sometimes I may not touch it
for hours. Usually I have a meal (hamotzee) or at least a snack in the middle of
the day. When do you say shehakol and boray nefashot so that I am not saying a
bracha levatala and I am not missing saying a bracha?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

84.

Q. Is it permissible on Shabbos to adjust an electric timer (when the adjustment itself involves no direct melacha) in order to turn on an appliance later on in the day? We have timers which turn appliances on and off based on little plastic pegs placed on a disc which rotates during 24 hours. (example: if the air conditioner is off at 10am, can I move a peg to 10:30am so that it will switch on at that time?)

Yaakov Bock,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

83.

Q. Could selling non-tznius clothing in a clothing store be considered mesaye le-dvar aveira? Could there be another halachic problem?

Rabbi Leff's response

82.

Q. Is a man allowed to shave the hair on his back? How about laser treatments or electrolysis?

Rabbi Leff's response

81. My friend ask me that he knows about a non-Jewish girl which wants to join the Ku
Klux Klan . Should we try to convince her not to? And if yes, how?

Thank you

Rabbi Leff's response

80.

Q. It's a known thing that Hashem gives "nisyonos" (trials & tribulations) only to people who have the ability to cope with them , how can we see in the world people having tzoris (troubles) that are way beyond their emotional capability to cope with and then they get nerves break-down etc. does that mean they failed their test?

Ashira Rabinowitz,
Yerushalayim

Rabbi Leff's response

79.

Q. We know the story of the Netziv, that he hosted a big party when he completed writing a sefer, because if he had become a blacksmith like his parents suggested, in Shamayim they would have asked him why he didn't become the great Torah sage that he was able to become and write the sefer that he did. Does this imply that any Jew who enters into a profession other than that of being a rav will be held accountable, since every single Jew, according to the Rambam (Hilchot Shmitah 13:13), can choose a Torah profession if he tries hard enough?

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

78.

Q. Literally, what does "SHEMA" mean?

Ta Shema Odoms,
Connecticut

Rabbi Leff's response

77. Q. I recently decided to try a therapy session for a phobia with a practitioner that utilizes Oriental Chakra energy healing and also utilizes meditation. When I arrived at the office, I noticed that there were 2 statues of Buddhas.
I voiced my discomfort about this, and I was assured that there was no religious orientation to this approach (Pranic Healing) and I was told that the buddhas, were gifts from students.

All that I have read about this approach has led me to agree that there is no religious orientation.After the session, I confirmed this to be true, and that the approach had no reference to this.

Is there any problem for a Jew to be in a room where there are statues of Buddhas? Additional question.The session utilized a meditation tape that includes repeating a mantra. Is this problematic?

When I conveyed that I was not entirely comfortable with this approach, I was told that the next therapy session could be done without it.

Any further thoughts or comments?

Henry Netzer,
New Jersey

Rabbi Leff's response

76.

Q. How did the current custom develop that all those who say kaddish do so
together as opposed to what seems to have been the accepted practice as late as the
time of the Mishna Brura (and is still practiced in select shuls) of picking only one
who would say kaddish? Are there existing sources for the current prevelant custom?

Yisrael Kaniel,
Beit Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

75.

Q. My wife has a habit that really bothers me. She ALWAYS leaves a little
drink in her cup which ends up being thrown out.
I feel this is a waste of money and food.
We agreed to ask the Rav and if he felt there was a halachic problem (bal tashchit),
she would stop.

Thank you.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

74.

Q. If one boils potatoes before Shabbat so that they are fully cooked and
edible, is it then permissable to put them in the oven, before Shabbat begins and
leave them to brown (roast) and have the oven go off with a time switch? If so, how
long before Shabbat does one need to put them in the oven?

Miriam,
Israel

Rabbi Leff's response

73.

Q. Can one use any kind of contact lens solution on Shabbos? Thank you very much.

C.Yerachmiel & Shany

Rabbi Leff's response

72.

Q. In raising children, at what ages and how much do we separate the boys from the girls? Is there a difference in how much they are separated for religious purposes and secular/social/educational purposes? My daughter (currently age 4) loves to come with me to shul. At what age does that become inappropriate? One specific point I wanted to ask was regarding Kol Na'arim on Simchat Torah. I happened to be in a shul where not only my four year old daughter was not allowed under the chuppah, but neither was my seventh month old daughter. How does the Rav hold in his community and why?
Thank you.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

71.

Q. Two questions regarding infants on Shabbat.
In my previous community, I was told that it was not okay to use the diaper's velcro or tape to close the dirty diaper. When I moved to a new community, I was told that that the velcro was definetly okay, and the tape might be also. How does the Rav feel about this issue.

Secondly, in my previous community, I was told that it was okay to wind up a manual baby swing. In my new community, I was told that this is prohibited. How does the Rav hold on this isssue. In addition, would it make a difference if the manual swing has a little diplay on it that tells if the swing is fully wound or half
wound or not wound at all. If that is a problem, could one just over up the display?
Thank you.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

70.

Q. I have been told different opinions regarding the use of deodorizing/sanitizing agents on Shabbat that are activated during flushing. Usually, they change the color of the water to blue. Is this a problem? In additon, many of them start off as a solid until the water running over them activates them. Would this be a problem?
Thank you.

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

69.

Q. In kabbala and in certain tyupes of chassidus, there is a lot written about the sitra achara (evil side) that gives power to all bad things committed. How is this different, from lehavdil, the Christian concept of "the Devil made me do it"?

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Yerushalayim, Ir HaKodesh

Rabbi Leff's response

68.

Q. If one sees offensive anti-Arab posters in the street, is he forbidden to remove them since they are public property, or is it recommended to remove them since they incite anger and violence against Jews?

Rabbi Leff's response

67.

Q. In this week's parsha, Lech Lecha, some questions came up for me that are really bothering me. I don't want to sound like an apikorus for asking them, but I need
clarification.

Avraham Avinu is known as Ish Chessed - the paradigm of caring and charity. We are to learn about the Chessed of Hashem through the Chessed of Avraham Avinu.

So it seems strange to me that upon his descent to Mitzrayim, he would put Sarah in such a terrible position, and ultimately causing her to be in the postition to become violated by the gentiles. Even though it didn't happen in the end, Was Avraham allowed to rely on the miracle that Sarah would be safe? And how are we to understand his statement, "that it may go well with me." It seems to be pointing to greed, not chessed. Please, Rabbi, Clarify this for me!

Thank you very much.

Bill Franklin,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

66.

Q. When the chosson and kallah walk down the aisle at their chasuna is it halachicly required for those in attendance to stand for them? If so, what is the required procedure for doing so? Is there a difference between standing for the choson vs. the kallah.

Shmuel Schuman,
Chicago

Rabbi Leff's response

65.

Q. Is skin considerd halakicly edible (ie, when ones lips are peeling)?

Suri Brebam,
Cedarhurst, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

64.

Q. What is the best way to halachically dispose of finger/toe nails? Is there any
halachic aspect to disposing of hair after a haircut or a tooth of an adult or child?

Thank you.

Anonymous


Rabbi Leff's response

63.

Q. Obviously, we are not allowed to celebrate Halloween. However, are we required, permitted, or prohibited from handing out candy to children who may knock on the door?

David

Rabbi Leff's response

62.

Q. I have heard that if a Sefer Torah falls to the ground, everyone present must fast
for 40 days - is this correct? Can you provide me with sources for this (my Hebrew is pretty good.)

Levi,
South Africa

Rabbi Leff's response

61.

Q. Regarding question #36 (about the stray cats)

We also have a problem with cats. Are children have "adopted" a few of the stray cats in our neighborhood. One of them has even adopted us, so it seems, and spends all of it's day hanging around our house, waiting to be fed. Now they just brought a brand new, tiny kitten home, which looks like it's about to die.

What does one do is such a situation? I mean I don't want all these cats being brought into my house, but on the other hand, we teach our children about tzaar baalei chaim, and having rachmonut on Hashem's briyot, and then when they bring us these little pitiful things, we tell them they can't keep them, and can't feed every stray cat in the neighborhood, and can't bring this dying little thing into the warmth of our home?

Thanks for your answers.

David,
Kochav Yaakov

Rabbi Leff's response

60.

Q. Please can you explain to me why we the Jews are described as the chosen nation?

Anonymous,
London

Rabbi Leff's response

59.

Q. My 5 year old son just asked me yesterday if Adam Harishon was a tzaddik or not? What does the Rav say?

Yehoshua,
Efrat

Rabbi Leff's response

58.

Q. What if any source is there for the custom that many frum Jews have of sitting or just lifting themselves slightly when a person who gets an aliya for krias haTorah says Borchu? Taz, Magen Avraham and Mishna Brura all say one should stand for the recitation of Borchu of an oleh la-Torah?

Yisrael Kaniel,
Beit Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

57.

Q. Can you explain the segulot in connection to Raziel Hamalach?

Charna

Rabbi Leff's response

56.

Q. I want to go to Israel for a year to learn Torah, but the only redeeming factor of
this idea, in my parents' minds, is that I would be going to tour the Jewish country,
Unfortunately, currently I wouldn't be doing much touring because of the matzav. So can you suggest anything for me to tell them that they might appreciate and in turn allow me to go without disowning me? Thanks.

Anonymous,
New York

Rabbi Leff's response

55.

Q. Certain Orthodox groups claim that it is halachicly permissible for women to
lead the davening and read the Torah, and that the long standing prohibition against it was merely a "societal norm". Is this claim valid, and if not, when do we differentiate between halacha and societal norms?

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh

Rabbi Leff's response

54.

Q.
I was taught that G-d controlls everything in the world, and everything that He allows to happens is for the good. How can a person who believes this worship this G-d whose perception of good is the slaughter of six million people (the holocaust,crusades...)?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

53.

What is the Torah's (or your interperetation of the Torah's) view on donating organs to save people's lives after one has passed away? I heard that it's not supposed to be done halachically, but it seems that if it could be used to save a life, and that is supposedly a supreme Jewish ideal, that it should be encouraged.

Paul S ,
Longbeach CA

Rabbi Leff's response

52.

Which is the first "holy day" menioned in the torah reading for Sukkot?

Whitney or Vered,
Nashville, TN

Rabbi Leff's response

51.

After listening ot your answer to question #3, I was wondering where is the prohibition for Jews to emigrate to Israel en masse.

David

Rabbi Leff's response

50.

I heard the following question: The Dor Hamidbar, despite witnessing the Splitting of the Red Sea and Giving of the Torah, did not have emunah in Hashem when it came to the Spies, while many people alive today, having witnessed the horrors of the Holocaust, have actually strengthened their emunah. Doesn't this fact conflict with the concept of yeridas hadoros (generational decline), that our generation is "less spiritual" than previous generations?

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh

Rabbi Leff's response

49.

We have all heard the stories of people jumping from the WTC. Suicide is prohibited, but in the case where you have a raging fire on one side and a 100 story jump on the other, are we allowed to make a decision what to do, which way we prefer to die? And if it seems that death is imminent, is there a preference of jumping rather than burning so that there would be a body to bury?

How would we go about halachically making such a decision (assuming even having the presence of mind to do such in this situation)? Do we consider the fire to be 100% sure-death and jumping only 99.9% (or vice vesa)? Since by jumping, I am shortening my life by minutes, is this suicide?

Are there other situations where suicide would be permissible or even required? How does this relate to the stories of Masada and Gamla? By halachic standards, were these heroes of Jewish history or otherwise? We have heard similar stories of Jews taking their lives in the Holocaust rather than risking humiliating acts or horrible suffering.

I do not wish to judge any of these people in the situations they were in, but I am interested in the halachic approach and if the halacha takes into account one's emotions at that time. Thank you.

David

Rabbi Leff's response

48.

What Bracha does one make on popcorn?

Rabbi Leff's response

47.

Q.
What are the halachic issues if my succah has three perfect walls but the last wall is a fence that is above ten tefachim, however the top of the fence is less than the height of the other three walls creating a gap between the schach and the top of the fence? (Can I cover the gap w/ cloth, or can it be open?)

Ruben,
Toronto, Canada

Rabbi Leff's response

46.

My sha'aloh concerns a peron who is hard of hearnig and uses a hearing
aid to assist him. The hearing aid enables the person to hear normally:
Can this person be the ba'al tokeah (i.e blow the shofar on Rosh Hashono) to be
motzei the tzibbur?

Is there any requirement for him to remove his hearing aid when he blows.

David Rosenthal,
London, UK

Rabbi Leff's response

45.

Every book I have seen shows the Shofar being blown at the end of N'ila....before Maariv. Is it permissible to blow at the end of Maariv instead of Ne'ila ?

Eliezer ben Zvi Ha Levi,
Connecticut

Rabbi Leff's response

44.

How does one make her parents understand and accept her beliefs and way of life, if her parents are not religious and disagree with some of her actions? Thank you!

Elisheva Peyrus,
Brooklyn, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

43.

Is it okay to 'Spam' email addresses of people you don't know to ask
them to donate to a Tzedakah that you are collecting for?

Sholom Rothman,
Far Rockaway, NY


An addition to this question;

There was an email list I belonged to where the woman disclosed the email addresses of the subscribers by accident. She was very worried because of the halachic issues involved and had to speak to a Rav b/c of the gezel hadaat that people could do by making use of private email addresses they were not entitled to use. Naturally, there was nothing she could do to fix it besides pleading with all people on the list not to commit gezel hadaat or any of the other possible misdoings that are possible with people's email addresses.

In addition, I pay for my minutes on the Internet, and it is not right for someone to cause me whatever extra time that I am needing to pay for, no matter what the cause.

Rabbi Leff's response

42. I understand the concept on Torah Shebaal Peh.. how can there be 2
different opinions on a Halachic matter and both of them be 100% true?
Is "Shivim Panim Latorah" the only way to explain?

In addition? if someone wanted to chose a Rabbi to guide them with their
Religious life, if every Rabbi though different, are all Emes, how come we can't
pick and choose if it's all Emes? Thank you

Rachel,
Brooklyn, NY

Rabbi Leff's response

41.

Where do I begin to study the word of God? Living in the U.S. I have
not had much exposure to the true ways of study. Where do I look? What Bible
shoud I use? What is it called? and where can I get it? Thank you.


Josef Espinosh,
Kansas City, MO

Rabbi Leff's response

40.

Q.

I heard somewhere that the Chofetz Chaim was left handed, and when he was 93, he taught himself to be right handed, because he was a Cohein, and being left handed is considered a moom, and in order to serve in the Beis Hamikdash, he needed to be without a moom. Is this story true, and if so, why is being a leftie considered a moom?

Thank you very much, and tizke limitzvos!

Naftali Tzvi Krochmal


Rabbi Leff's response

39.

Q.

Hello, I am B'nai Noah who is considering conversion to Judaism and I would like to know if it is possible to kosher my dishes, pots & cutlery. Is there a difference depending on a type of material example metal glass corning ware etc?

Lila,
Toronto

Rabbi Leff's response

38.

Q.

Why do the laws of loshon hara specifically apply only to speaking evil about yidden as is stated "lo selech rachil b'amecha". Wouldn't speaking loshon hara about a goy promote hatred and violate the concept of darkei shalom? In addition if one can freely speak loshon hara about a goy, wouldn't it accustom a person to speaking gossip and make it easier for him to speak about a yid?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

37.

Q.

Why is it so important for people to have many children? I feel so pressured by my community to go on having more children (we have 4 already, Baruch Hashem), but I feel as though the more children we have, the less attention we are able to give each child, and it bothers me when I'm not able to give each of my chidren the attention they deserve. That's in addition to the financial strain it seems to cause, which causes stress and friction (in my house at least).

Why is quantity stressed, sometimes at the cost of quality in child rearing in the Frum community?

Tizke l'Mitzvos!

Anonymous,
Baltimore, MD

Rabbi Leff's response

36.

Q.

I've been taught that it's against halacha to neuter or spay animals. Why is this? If it's because it's considered "tzaar baalei chaim", isn't it more cruel to allow the cat population, for example to multiply out of proportions and have hundreds of hungry stray cats prowling the streets, and as they do to my apartment occasionally, sneakning into people's homes and stealing (or touching) expensive food, breaking things, etc. What about the tzoris it causes people? It seems cruel to the cats, as well as to people.

If it's because we are not supposed to "play G-d" and decide who multiplies and who doesn't (just an idea I had), doesn't Hashem give us the imperfect world to perfect? Animals don't have the sechel we have, work mainly on instinct, as far as I understand. We are doing for them what they can't do by themselves. By human beings, of course we don't have the right to decide, but it doens't seem like it should be the same with animals. After all...they're only animals.

Thank you for your time.

Pesach,
Jerusalem

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35.

Q.

Is it forbidden according to Jewish law to self-indulge in sexual pleasure of one's body?

Anonymous, Boston, MA

Rabbi Leff's response

34.

Q.

Why do some korbanos need to be brought as male animals, and some as female animals?

Naftali Tzvi Krochmal

Rabbi Leff's response

33.

Q.

Why don't we have to say a bracha achrona after smelling fragrances as we do after we eat?

Karen Levy

Rabbi Leff's response

32.

Q.

Is a Kohen permitted to visit a museum wherein a mummy is found a glass enclosed receptacle ?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's response

31.

Q.

The Talmud often refers to a type of person called an Am HaAretz, or ignoramus. Were these people basically good Jews who had much yiras shamayim and just lacked experise in a few halachot, or were they more like what you would call the "peanut gallery", to put it lightly?

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Jerusalem, Eretz Yisrael

Rabbi Leff's response

30.

Q.

I am the mother of boys who are beginning yeshiva. I read with interest the question about homosexuals. I have heard that homosexuality is quite prevelant in yeshivas and have heard horror stories of bad things happening between talmidim, and even between rabbeim and talmidim. I am very concerned that my boys should not be drawn into this unfortunate way of life. Does the rabbi have any suggestions?

Rabbi Leff's response

29.

Q.

I heard in one of your shiurim on Tisha B'av (by the way, thank you for
providing your shiurim for us in chutz l'aaretz to hear).

You spoke about listening to music made up of Jewish words sung to African tribal beats being so far away from anything Jewish, and should be avoided like the plague (or something like it). What about somebody like myself, growing up secular, very much into music (rock, pop, r&b, motown, etc.).

When I was getting into Yiddishkeit, I listened alot to music from Shlock Rock, and some similar bands, because I stopped listening to alot of stuff I used to, this filled a gap, I liked the way it sounded, and I liked the messages the songs taught, and I felt it was positive for me. In a way, it was part of what brought me closer to Torah Judaism.

How do we know what authentic Jewish music is? If I don't like the "frum" stuff (MBD, Fried, Mendi, M endy, chazzanut,)does that make me less Jewish/Frum, etc.? Should I train myself to like them? If I like music with a(n African) beat, does it mean I'm way off track?

Thank you.

Rabbi Leff's response

28.

Q.
1. Everyone is given their own test by Hashem. But why do some people seem to have tests which are impossible to pass. For example, why does Hashem create some people as homosexuals, and then say that such behavior is an abomination?

2. Someone I know who is homosexual was advised by his Rabbi to get married. What is your opinion on this?

Rabbi Leff's response

27. Q. Does the concept of Da'as Torah mean that we must accept any obscure political comment that every Gadol HaDor ever made as being Torah MiSinai? e.g. I heard that the Chazon Ish said that Abraham Lincoln was killed as a punishment for freeing the blacks. If I don't accept that comment, am I considered a heretic for denying Torah She'Baal Peh?

Thank you.

Moshe Peretz Mann,
Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

26.

Q.   I would like to piggy-back on question #14 regarding drinking coffee from a vending machine. I asked the following question to ou online: A coffee machine that gets the coffee from a little sealed cup that is inserted and then combines it with hot water which then pours out into your cup from one spout. Some of the flavors are kosher and some not, is one permitted to drink a kosher product or not, since the non-kosher flavors comes out from the same place? They answered me as followed: Rabbi Belsky, has ruled that any possible non-kosher ingredient has become Botul. And so if your machine is used for coffee only you may use it to get kosher coffee. What is the Rov's opinion?

Thank you.

Yitzi Padawer,
Staten Island

Rabbi Leff's response

25.

Q.   This question is a bit gross, but important for me know the
answer anyway. Here goes:

If a person bites and swallows their nails or cuticles, should they first say a brocha? is it considered to be cannibalism? How much time should one wait before eating milchig?

Rabbi Leff's response

24. Q.  I had just cut up, and was just about to serve my husband some mango. I suddenly realized that he'd have to say "Shechechyanu", since he hasn't eaten any yet
this year, and we're not supposed to say "Shechcheyanu" now since it's the 9 days. Is it better not to eat the fruit, yet be over on "bal tashchis", or is it better to eat it and
be over on saying "Shechecheyanu"? Or is it not even considered "bal tashchis" because it's being done l'shem mitzvah?

Thank you.

Rabbi Leff's response

23.

Q.   Regarding question #11;
With all due respect, Rabbi, I feel like you didn't address the issue regarding transferring our enemies out of Israel.

Binyamin Lemkin,
Beit Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's response

22. Q.   Dear Rabbi;
I have the impression that Orthodox Jews believe that their version of Judaism is the only valid version. Is this true, and can you explain why they feel that way?

Thank you.
Fred Green, New Jersey

Rabbi Leff's response

21.

Q.   Regarding question #9 which I asked about what to do if I arrive just as the Shaliach tzibur. The Rav said I should say it word for word together with the tzibbur. I tried doing this, and find it extremely distracting. I can't have nearly as much kavanna than when I daven it alone. Isn't with kavana the ultimate way to daven? Would I be doing an aveira, or getting less schar for the mitzva if I do it the way I feel I have more kavana?

Thank you.
Shloime Horowitz, Har Nof

Rabbi Leff's response

20.

Q.   I've been checking my eggs for bloodspots ever since I learned that halacha. But it just dawned on me that we may eat hardboiled eggs without checking them for blood before we boil them. Was is this
permissable (or is it?)

Another question:
If someone offers me watermelon at their home, and they do not keep kosher, is there any way I can gracefully accept it, and eat it? Do I have to worry about the knife being treif (the watermelon is cold), and do I have to maaser it first, and worry about anything else? If I do have to maaser it, can I just separate a bit surrepetitiously, or do I have to say the whole girsa? I feel a bit uncomfortable doing it in front of my friend.

Thank you very much.
S D, Rishon Letzion

Rabbi Leff's response

19.

Q.  What's your opinion on going to the army. Is it forbidden, frowned upon, tolerated, encouraged or admired? I can see the most promising yeshiva students being exempted. There are today so many people learning Torah, if we let the top 10% learn without going to the army, and everyone else did a certain amount (even short) of time in the army, would that make a Kiddush Hashem, and the yeshiva students could go and have a positive effect on the rest of the population. It seems, in my humble estimation, that we could do alot more good that way.

Thank you for your time.

Reuvein Schneider,
Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's response

18.

Q.   The suicide bombing Moslems, who do their dastardly deed "in the name of G-d", truly believe that what they are doing is right. They feel like they are being mekadesh shem shamayim (Sanctifying G-d's name) by murdering as many Jews as they can while making the ultimate self sacrifice by giving up their lives, and thereby sending themselves straight to Heaven. Does G-d when he judges them, take into consideration the fact that they all seem to be doing what they do leshaim shamayim (In the name of G-d)?

C. S.,
Matityahu

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17.

Q.  Is there a problem offering a non Torah observant Jew something to eat, knowing that they won't make a bracha before or after eating it? If it's bread, is it different, since birkat hamazon is d'oraita? Would kavod habrios or v'ahavta lreiacha kmocha, or lifnei iveir, Kiddush/chilul Hashem come into it at all?

Yocheved Kahn ,
Netanya/Baltimore

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16.

Q.  Is it better to live in Eretz Yisrael if you have to stop learning full time and go to work, or, if there is an opportunity to learn in Chutz La'aretz full time and teach should one go to Chutz La'aretz or stay in Eretz Yisrael and be Mikayeim the Mitzvah of yishuv ha'aretz and all the Mitzvos Taluyim b'aretz?

Anonymous

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15.

Q.   My sister has become Orthodox. I want to be able to understand why she does all the (seemingly strange) stuff she does. One big question I have, which she hasn't been able to explain to me, is why it's so important to keep the Shabbat the way she does. It's supposed to be a day to rest and relax, and instead of having fun, she's cooped up in the house all day with so many children who can't do this, and can't do that. Why do they seem so uptight about everything, and is this normal?

Thank you very much for your time.

D.K.,
Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Rabbi Leff's Answer

14.

Q.   Shalom, Rabbi, and thank you for providing this opportunity. In the office where I work, there's a coffee machine that sells coffee, tea, cappuchino, espress, etc. It tastes great, and is heavily subsidised, so I drink alot of the stuff and it keeps me going.

My question is like this: If I have a shwarma for lunch, can I drink an espresso (or any of the coffee for that matter) without milk? Or is there a problem with milk & meat, even though I pressed the "coffee with sugar, no milk" button?

The machine belongs to the "Mashkar" company, and sells Elite coffee. The # I saw on the machine was 1800-221-319. I wouldn't know what to ask, but I was hoping that the Rabbi could check this out for me.

Thank you.

Yoel Naiman ,
The Galil, Israel

Rabbi Leff's Answer

13.

Q.   While it is forbidden to pray in front of a mirror, what if the mirror is located to one's side ? Also, what about praying in front of a large window or glass door where one's reflection can be seen ?

Dr. Gary Roth
Givat Ze'ev

Rabbi Leff's Answer

12.

Q.  There's something about the Bible that's been bothering me for a long time, and I was wondering if you could answer my question.

There seems to be a curse in the Bible against black people, from the time of Noah and Ham. What does that mean? Are all black people cursed? What does the curse mean? How can I explain to my black friends that we Jews consider them "cursed"? Wasn't Moses married to a black woman (someone told me the Bible, in its original Hebrew, says he married an "isha kushite" which means a black woman? How can we understand that the Bible condones slavery, and doesn't let us even set a slave free? What are the differences between a Jewish slave and a Cananaite slave?

Craig
Rabbi Leff's Answer

11.

Q.   Do you feel that Rabbi Kahane was correct regarding the mitzvah to transfer our enemies?

Binyamin Lemkin,
Beit Shemesh, Israel

Rabbi Leff's Answer

10.

Q.   Tzitzit and the issue of "Taaseh VeLo Min HeAsui": If the fringis on my tzitzit get ruined, may I put on new strings on the same garment? Also, if the strings on my
tzitzit are too long may I trim them?

Is one allowed to shorten the length of the "Retzuot" of ones Tefilin (because their length is uncomfortable)?

Shem-Tov Shapiro,
Beit Shemesh, Israel

Rabbi Leff's Answer

9.

Q.  If I come to mincha late, just as the chazzan is about to start chazaras hashatz, what do I do? Should I start davening when he starts the chazara, and try to get up to Kedusha with the kahal, or should I say kedusha with the Kahal and then start 18?

What about ma'ariv? If they're just about to start davening, and I just showed up, should I say 18 with them, then go back and to brachas and krias shema, or daven in the regular order?

Thank you very much for your time.

Shloime Horowitz.
Har Nof, Jerusalem

Rabbi Leff's Answer

8.

Q. I heard that in the end of days, there's supposed to be a big war between the Jews and the Christians and Moslems. It seems like we're at the beginning of such a war. What's supposed to happen, and what can we do about it? Why does God make it so there have to be so much death, killing, war, etc? Isn't He supposed to be a God of Peace?

Bart Green,
Tarzana, California

Rabbi Leff's Answer

7.

Q. I've heard it said (I think I read it in one of your divrei Torah) that when we go to the next world, we will be shown a "video" of everything we did and said in this world. What if we do tshuva? Will we still have to sit through such a horror movie?

Mordechai Berkowitz,
Ra'anana

Rabbi Leff's Answer

6.

Q. Why does the entire world seem to hate us? Why did the Christians hate us more in the past, and now it's the Moslems? Why are the Europeans so against us?

Karen Rosenthal,
Houston, TX

 

Rabbi Leff's Answer

5.

Q. If we as Jews leave the world as we entered it, how do we account for circumcision and leaving a bit behind?!!!

Tony Goodson,
Melbourne, Australia

Rabbi Leff's Answer

4. Q. Hi, Rabbi.

I recently went to a bar-mitzva at an Orthodox temple and
there was what people called a "mechitza" separating the
women from the men. I've never seen such a thing before, and
it seemed so...well, wierd.

And I also noticed that alot of the men wouldn't even shake
other women's hands, let alone kiss them.

Can you explain why there's so much separation between the
sexes in Orthodox Judaism? It seems so outdated and
unnecessary to me.

Thank you for your time.

Rabbi Leff's Answer

3. Q.    Dear Rabbi, Please could you explain to me the reason that since the Jewish people have returned to their land you:-

1. Allow the mosque to be on your holiest site, the Temple mount and not build your Temple?

2. Don't handle your security problems once and for all not fearing the world response and putting their faith in Gods salvation. Especially since Israel has a very strong army?

3. Why do religious, even ultra-orthodox Jews stay in exile? what, don't they see the hand of God in this past centuries events? One answer I was given was that you are waiting for the Messiah to come, then you will do all of this. I find it hard to believe, that you cannot behave as Gods people until he comes. If this is true, please tell me where it says so in the Bible.

I'm sorry if I am being rude, but I can't understand that since so many of your people are being killed daily why is there no outcry, where are your spiritual leaders? why are they not shaking heaven and earth when so much blood is being spilt? Don't you realize that by your silence you are causing a great shame on your God? If you act as you are, how do you expect to convince the world that you are the chosen people? A Jewish friend of mine told me that the ultra-Orthodox world is still behaving the same way it always has, except now they say more Psalms than usual. What about "thou shall not stand idly by thy brothers blood"? Is this really what God wants? Many things are happening now in the world, please give me some clarity/guidance, for you do claim to be God's chosen people.

Thank you,


Julie Wilcox,
England

Rabbi Leff's Answer

2.

Q.    We have fruit trees that were planted during the year 1999 (after Tu B'Shvat and before Pesach). When are the fruits non-Orla? I thought that the year for trees and their fruit is counted according to Rosh HaShana, but my husband thinks that for fruit it might be counted from Tu B'Shvat.

Yocheved Desnick,
Ramat Beit Shemesh

Rabbi Leff's Answer

1.

Q.    If Shavuos is the time we received the Torah, why don't we start reading it then? Why, instead, do we start reading the Torah on Simchas Torah/Shmini Atzeres?

Anonymous

Rabbi Leff's Answer

 

 

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